Former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Confirms Application for Asylum at Netherlands
HARRY ROQUE – The former presidential spokesman confirmed that he has filed his application for asylum at the Netherlands.
The presence of Roque at The Hague, Netherlands following the transfer of the custody of the former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte elicited different reactions. The former presidential spokesman is reportedly faced with an arrest order in the Philippines but has not be located for months.
The House of Representatives Quad Committee cited Roque for contempt and ordered his detention for allegedly failing to submit documents that would explain the growth of his wealth. He is facing accusations of involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the country.
Harry Roque previously claimed he will be part of Duterte’s ICC legal team. The former presidential spokesman is one of the few lawyers accredited under the International Criminal Court. According to Roque, he will seek asylum at the Netherlands.
The former presidential spokesman also vowed to bring Duterte home amid the countless calls on the government for the return of the former President. For its part, Malacañang suggested to Filipinos to challenge Roque to return to the country.
Malacañang said Harry Roque must defend himself first before defending other people. Department of Justice Secretary Boying Remulla called the former presidential spokesman “irrelevant” in the case of Duterte before the ICC. According to the DOJ Chief, Roque is allegedly not needed there but he keeps on insisting himself into the picture.
Recently, based on a report on GMA News, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that he has applied for asylum at the Netherlands. According to him, it was Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who advised him to already process his application for asylum.
“Ako po ngayon ay isang asylum seeker dahil naka-apply na po ako for asylum,” he said.
Based on the report, Harry Roque previously said that an asylum seeker at the Netherlands cannot be arrested nor forced to return to the Philippines. According to the former spokesman of Duterte, he currently awaits the initial interview which is part of the process in applying for asylum.
Contrary to what the former presidential spokesman previously said, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte clarified that Roque will not be part of Duterte’s legal team. Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea who is confined to a hospital in The Hague will also give his spot to another lawyer.