DOJ Sec. Remulla Speaks on Harry Roque amid Initiative To Cancel his PH Passport
HARRY ROQUE – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Boying Remulla confirmed he received reports that the former presidential spokesman got 3 Philippine passports.
The Justice department previously expressed its intent to move for the cancellation of the Philippine passport of former presidential spox Harry Roque. He is faced with an arrest warrant issued by a local court over his alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in the country.
However, the arrest warrant cannot be issued by the DOJ because Roque is in The Hague, Netherlands. The former presidential spokesman was hiding for around six (6) months since the House of Representatives ordered his arrest for contempt until in March. He was spotted in public again when former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was brought to The Hague.
Duterte, Roque’s former boss, was arrested last March 11 after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him over alleged crimes against humanity. He is being investigated over his administration’s war on drugs.
Harry Roque initially claimed that he will be part of the ICC legal team of Duterte. He even vowed to bring the former President home. However, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte ruled to have lawyers who can really focus in her father’s case in the team. According to her, Roque should focus on his bid for asylum.
Following public sighting, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque confirmed that he is an asylum seeker in The Netherlands. According to him, he cannot be deported in the Philippines while the process is ongoing and it may take up to one and a half year.
Recently, DOJ Sec. Boying Remulla confirmed that he received reports that former presidential spox Harry Roque got 3 Philippine passports. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Justice Secretary said they will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs about it.
“We will ask the DFA siyempre sila ang gumagawa niyan hindi naman ang DOJ,” the DOJ Secretary said.
Remulla further assured that they will have the issue about Roque allegedly having 3 Philippine passports dug up. Based on the report, the DOJ Chief claimed that they are now petitioning for the cancellation of his passport as he is already a “fugitive”.
Recently, Harry Roque reacted to the move to cancel his Philippine passport.