The Department of Justice (DOJ) has formally filed a motion to cancel the passports of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Monday. The move is part of efforts to compel Roque to face the criminal charges filed against him in the Philippines.
“It will limit his options. I think he holds two or three passports pa nga eh. May nagsabi sa akin ng ganoon. Ang mahalaga, talagang mapilitan siya mag-account sa kanyang mga ginawa dito at depensahan niya ang sarili niya,” Remulla said.
Roque is currently facing charges for qualified human trafficking before the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC), which has already issued a warrant for his arrest. The DOJ’s move to cancel his travel documents aims to prevent him from evading arrest and remaining outside the country indefinitely.
“Hindi pa nga nagsisimula ang lahat eh, tinatakasan na niya. Sa batas natin, flight is an indication of guilt. Kaya sana harapin na niya lang para naman maging madali ang lahat sa ating bansa,” Remulla added.
In response, Roque posted on Facebook that he has applied for asylum in the Netherlands, citing political persecution by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He claims that international law protects his right to seek asylum and prevents his extradition while his application is under review.
“I have exercised my human right to seek asylum to escape political persecution by Marcos Jr. Under international law, I cannot be extradited while Dutch authorities are considering my asylum application,” Roque wrote.
He added that European countries like the Netherlands uphold human rights and are unlikely to cooperate with efforts to forcibly return him. “If they already failed in Timor-Leste, they stand even less of a chance here,” he said.
Remulla, however, expressed doubt that Roque’s asylum bid will be granted, noting the serious nature of the charges. “Kasi Netherlands is one of the countries that go against human trafficking, which is the charge against Harry Roque,” he said.
Should the motion be granted, Roque will be classified as an undocumented alien, further complicating his legal status in the Netherlands and increasing pressure for him to return and face trial.