Atty. Harry Roque Spotted in Netherlands amid Reported Arrest Order by House
HARRY ROQUE – The former Presidential Spokesman announced his plan to seek asylum at the Netherlands as he defends former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Countless Filipinos currently call on the government and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to return former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the Philippines. He was arrested last Monday upon his arrival from Hong Kong after the ICC released an arrest warrant.
Duterte was “forced” to board a flight to Dubai en route for the Netherlands on the eve of the day he was arrested. Last Friday, Duterte appeared before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC remotely. Duterte is currently detained at the ICC facility in Schevengen.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte flew to the Netherlands to support former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Outside the ICC, the Vice President was spotted with Senator Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Undeniably, countless Filipinos were surprised to see Roque in public again.
The authorities have been looking for Roque for several months now after he was cited for contempt and ordered detained by the House of Representatives. It was reportedly due to his failure to comply with the documents explaining the growth of his wealth.
Following the appearance of Atty. Harry Roque outside the ICC, Malacañang expressed an encouragement to the Filipino people to challenge the former presidential spokesman to return to the country. According to Malacañang press officer Atty. Claire Castro, Filipinos may better call to “Bring Roque Home”.
Based on a report on GMA News, at a press conference, Atty. Harry Roque was asked about his next step. He is one of the legal counsels of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his ICC trial. The former presidential spokesman is accredited by the ICC.
Roque announced that he is seeking asylym at the Netherlands. According to him, he may be entitled for “non-refoulement” if he’s granted with an asylum. Based on the report, he also explained that non-refoulement means non-deportation until the trial is over and “non-prosecution for illegal entry”.
“Well, I’m formally announcing that after a meeting today, I’m formally filing for asylum here at the Netherlands. As soon as my application of asylum is received, I do have rights to non-refoulement,” he expressed.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said that former Pres. Duterte wants her to come home to the Philippines. The Vice President said she will just talk to his legal team and go back to the country to work with them remotely.