4 days ago
DOJ says Roque's Netherlands asylum bid denied; Harry says 'fake news'
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is facing qualified human trafficking charges in the Philippines, has been denied political asylum in The Hague, Netherlands.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made the remarks days after Roque denied that his asylum bid was rejected. Remulla added that Roque is currently in Germany, as reported by Super Radyo dzBB.
'Hindi sya nabigyan ng asylum ng Netherlands kaya nasa Germany na ang pagbibigay nito kung baka sakali,' Remulla said.
(He was denied asylum, so he is in Germany now.)
According to Remulla, the DOJ will wait for the results of Roque's political asylum in Germany, adding they may no longer request his extradition if his passport is cancelled.
Dating presidential spokesperson @attyharryroque, bigong makakuha ng asylum sa The Netherlands — Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla, @dojphofficial | via @VargasMannysen — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 18, 2025
Once cancelled, he said the lawyer will be declared an undocumented alien and may be arrested by Interpol.
'Hihintayin natin. Pwede naman file-an ng extradition pagdatin ng panahon pero baka hindi na kailangan kasi kakanselahin naman ang passport niya. Kapag naging undocumented alien yan, pupwede nang kunin ng Interpol,' Remulla added.
(We will wait for the results. We may file for extradition, but once his passport is cancelled, he will be an undocumented alien and may be arrested by Interpol.)
Fake news?
Roque, meanwhile, called out Remulla and described his statement as "fake news"
"I am not surprised that the Marcos Jr. administration, through the Department of Justice, has become the purveyor of fake news," said Roque in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
"Strike two na ang DOJ Secretary. Una, sinabi niya mayroon daw akong multiple passports. Ngayon, denied asylum. Ano ito? Nakalap ang impormasyon sa usapang Maritess," he added.
He also said that his Germany trip was planned and he is now back in The Hague.
"My trip to Germany was a pre-planned activity... The visit was upon the invitation of the Filipino community in Germany, where I administered the oathtaking of the proud members of the Hakbang ng Maisug Germany," explained Roque
Last week, Roque also said that "asylum proceedings have not yet concluded."
'[A]s of this date, asylum proceedings have not yet concluded, and no one has access to the proceedings except me and the Dutch government as the matter is treated with confidentiality,' Roque said on a Facebook post.
Roque is facing charges for qualified human trafficking in connection with the Lucky South 99 POGO firm before the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC). A warrant of arrest has been ordered by the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 118.
According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), authorities were able to find evidence of torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking at the site.
Roque has denied the allegations against him. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
