Former Ombudsman barred from entering HK: DFA

May 21, 2019

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales was barred from entering Hong Kong on Tuesday due to "immigration reasons" and told to return to Manila by a 6 pm flight. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sources said.

Carpio, according to sources, arrived in Hong Kong past 11 a.m. with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

Immigration authorities told her to take the Philippine Airlines' 6 p.m. flight back to Manila. But her family, sources added, decided to join her.

In an interview with ANC Philippine Deputy Consul General Germinia Aguilar-Usudan said at 3:18 pm Hong Kong immigration authorities finally agreed to allow Carpio-Morales to enter.

But Usudan said Carpio-Morales refused and will leave Hong Kong at 6 pm.

''We are helping the former Ombudsman on her return flight. Her luggage has been checked in and she is in a restaurant taking refreshments,'' said Usudan.

Usudan said ''definitely'' the Philippine consulate will find out why Carpio-Morales was not allowed entry into Hong Kong.

No reason was immediately available why Carpio-Morales was sent home. DMS