Malacañang has urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque not to use his asylum petition to avoid legal action over human trafficking charges.
Roque should return to the Philippines and face the allegations linking him and 10 others to trafficking activities tied to a POGO hub, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said it may seek help from Interpol to serve the arrest warrant issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118.
“Hindi po siya (Roque) dapat magtago sa kanyang petition for asylum,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She also rejected Roque’s claim of political persecution.
“Iyan po naman talaga ang kaniyang magiging naratibo, kaniyang depensa pero hindi po niya sinasagot nang mabuti kung nasaan nga ba iyong mga dokumentong kaniyang ipinangako sa House of Representatives at that time na nagkaroon po hearing sa QuadCom,” the Palace official said.
Castro added that Roque has not addressed allegations of hidden wealth either. “So paano po kaya magkakaroon ng political persecution? At tandaan po natin, korte mismo ang nag-issue ng valid warrant of arrest patungkol po sa kaso ng qualified human trafficking.”
Roque left the country in September 2024 and later appeared in the Netherlands, where he claimed to have filed for political asylum. His departure came after four House committees cited him for contempt for lying and skipping hearings on POGO operations.IMT
