Lawmakers ask DFA to block Roque’s asylum bid

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque — Screengrab video from Harry Roque’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers on Thursday called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to collaborate with Dutch authorities to block former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s asylum request and force him to come home to face allegations linking him to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo).

The Makabayan bloc, composed of ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, condemned Roque’s “shameless attempt to escape accountability” by seeking asylum in the Netherlands, noting that he had no role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“It’s infuriating that a former human rights lawyer would exploit legal technicalities to escape his responsibility to the country. Roque’s hiding out in the Netherlands, without an official role in the ICC proceedings, is outright avoidance of accountability,” Castro said.

Vice President Sara Duterte had said that Roque would not be part of her father’s legal team despite being one of only five Filipino lawyers accredited as ICC legal counsel.

READ: Foreigners to defend Duterte; Roque out, says VP

READ: Palace to Harry Roque: ‘Defend yourself first before defending others’

“Mr. Roque … you don’t need asylum. What you need is courage to face the truth,” Brosas said.

The lawmakers asserted that Roque’s request for asylum was to evade an arrest warrant issued against him in September by the House of Representatives, which cited him in contempt for failing to cooperate in its investigation of his alleged links to the Lucky South 99 Pogo hub.

Manuel said Roque was an example of cowardice and a lack of principles. “The former lawyer of victims of human rights violations is now hiding overseas to avoid his own sins,” he said.

A House majority lawmaker, meanwhile, said Roque had no more reason to stay in the Netherlands.

“He has to come home and … face the charges [against] him. [T]hat’s his opportunity to clear his name,” said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.