MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is in the process of confirming the reported arrest of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in the Netherlands.
At the Senate’s marathon plenary deliberations on the 2026 budget of the DFA on Tuesday, Senate President Vicente Sotto III asked the department to confirm reports that Roque had been arrested.
Speaking on behalf of the DFA as its budget sponsor, Sen. Imee Marcos said the DFA has yet to receive information from the Netherlands regarding the matter.
“While it’s in the breaking news, the DFA is still in the process of verifying as they have no information from the Netherlands. We will revert as soon as it is confirmed,” said the senator.
Roque, who is claiming political persecution as the reason for his asylum application in the Netherlands, was ordered arrested earlier by an Angeles City Regional Trial Court after state prosecutors charged him and over 40 others with qualified human trafficking and multiple counts of human trafficking.
The charges were filed in connection with the illegal operations of a Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga.
The Pasig City Regional Trial Court has also cancelled the passport of the former presidential spokesperson. /apl