Roque denies requesting asylum from German gov’t
Harry Roque —Photo from Harry Roque FB page
MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed the claim of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that he has applied for asylum in Germany after the Dutch government denied his request.
Roque said in a statement posted on his Facebook account that his trip to Germany was a prescheduled visit at the invitation of the Filipino community there.
“I am now back at The Hague in the Netherlands,” he said. “I am not surprised that the Marcos Jr. administration, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), has become a purveyor of fake news. That’s strike two for the DOJ secretary. First, he claimed I supposedly have multiple passports. Now, he’s saying my asylum was denied,” Roque added.
In an interview on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he learned that Roque’s request for asylum was denied by the Dutch government.
READ: Roque’s asylum request in Netherlands denied — Remulla
Asked if it was confirmed that Roque was now in Germany to apply for asylum, the DOJ chief replied: “That’s what I’ve been told.”
He further explained that within the European Union, individuals with valid visas may travel freely due to open borders.
“But once you become a fugitive from justice and lose your documentation, Interpol can start pursuing you,” Remulla said.
“Let’s wait. Anyway, that can be subject to extradition later on, but it might not be necessary if his passport gets canceled. If he becomes an undocumented alien, Interpol can already go after him,” he added.
Confidential matter
On June 13, Roque denied reports that his asylum application in the Netherlands has been rejected, saying the process was still ongoing and that “no one has access to the proceedings except me and the Dutch government as the matter is treated with confidentiality.”
An Angeles City, Pampanga court last month ordered his arrest after state prosecutors charged him and over 40 others with qualified human trafficking and multiple counts of human trafficking.
The case stems from their alleged involvement in Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hub in Porac town that was raided and shuttered last year following allegations of torture, human trafficking and online scamming.
Remulla earlier said Roque could face deportation if the Dutch government denies his asylum request, as the DOJ has applied for the cancellation of his passport.
Roque has maintained that there is no evidence proving he organized, financed or ordered any acts of human trafficking at the Pogo hub.
The DOJ, however, said his alleged involvement falls under provisions of the Qualified Trafficking in Persons Act, particularly those relating to the organization or management of trafficking operations. /cb
