Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, May 26, denounced the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) move to cancel his passport, calling it a “politically-motivated” effort by the Marcos Jr. administration to silence him for being a vocal Duterte ally.
“Cancelling my passport, I reiterate, is part of the Marcos Jr. administration’s efforts to silence me as a vocal critic and ally of the Dutertes,” Roque said in a press release from The Hague, Netherlands, where he has remained since former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier confirmed that the DOJ has initiated proceedings to revoke Roque’s passport. This development follows a regional trial court in Angeles, Pampanga, ordering Roque’s arrest for alleged qualified human trafficking in connection with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub, Lucky South 99. Roque is facing charges alongside Cassandra Ong and other individuals.
Roque insists the move is premature, citing a motion for reconsideration he filed last week asking the DOJ to dismiss the case. “In my Motion for Reconsideration, I stated that not a single evidence was presented to prove that I committed the overt act of organizing, providing financial support, or directing any person to commit trafficking,” he stated.
He also denied any conspiracy, noting that none of the alleged victims mentioned him in their affidavits. “I was not even mentioned in the affidavits of the alleged victims of human trafficking,” Roque emphasized.
However, authorities say Roque’s signature appeared in several official documents related to Lucky South 99. The Pampanga court said he served not only as a legal representative but also acted on behalf of the POGO hub. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has since requested a Red Notice from Interpol to aid in his potential arrest abroad.
Roque, meanwhile, said he would cite this latest development as evidence of political harassment in his asylum application in the Netherlands. “I have simply exercised my human right to seek asylum, and under international law, I cannot be extradited while Dutch authorities are considering my application,” he said.
The DOJ acknowledged that Roque cannot be extradited while his asylum claim remains unresolved.
kng politically motivated, eh d lht sana ng passports ng mga kontra Marcos jr. administration, pina-cancel nila. You were not the only one singled out. Pati mga kasabwat mo at c Cassandra Ong. It is because you fled the country to avoid prosecution. Kakahiya ka Atty. Roque.