Asylum Seeks in Netherlands Now Include Harry Roque amid Arrest Order in PH
HARRY ROQUE – The former presidential Spokesman admitted he feels relieved by his application for asylum in the Netherlands.
Countless people were surprised when Roque appeared in The Hague, Netherlands following the transfer of the custody of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court. He was first spotted talking to Vice Pres. Sara Duterte outside the ICC.
Roque is one of the few ICC-accredited Filipino lawyers. However, back in the Philippines, he is reportedly faced with an arrest warrant issued by the House of Representatives after he skipped the investigation on the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
Countless people reacted when Harry Roque vowed to bring former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte back to the Philippines after saying that he will be part of Duterte’s ICC legal team. On the part of Malacañang, the Palace encouraged the Filipinos to call “Bring Roque Home” — amid the calls of the Duterte supporters for the homecoming of the former President.
Contrary to the claim of the former presidential Spokesman, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte clarified that Harry Roque and Salvador Medialdea won’t be part of former Pres. Duterte’s legal team. According to the Vice President, they want the lawyers part of the ICC legal team of her father to really focus on the case. She stressed that Roque should first focus on his application for asylum in the Netherlands.
A few days ago, Harry Roque announced that he has filed for asylum in the Netherlands. It elicited different reactions from the people as he earlier claimed that asylum seekers in the country cannot be deported back to their home country while the processing of the application is ongoing.
Recently, Roque joined the celebration of the Duterte supporters in The Hague for the birthday of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The former Chief Executive turned 80. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the former presidential Spokesman stressed that he is now “a bonafide asylum seeker”.
“Di na ko mapapadeport pabalik ng Pilipinas hanggang hindi matapos ang aking application,” Roque said.
Based on the report, Harry Roque further expressed that the process of the asylum application may take around one (1) and a half years. The former presidential Spokesman revealed that has been on the run for over six (6) months.
“Wala nang tago nang tago kaya nga pumirma ako ng aking application. Sabi ko nga first time in 6 and a half months hindi na nag ako nagtatago,” he said.
Previously, Department of Justice (DOJ) Boying Remulla reacted to Roque’s appearance in the Netherlands and pronouncement to be a part of Duterte’s legal team. Remulla claimed that Roque is allegedly forcing himself into Duterte’s ICC case to be “relevant”.