'No political persecution,’ Palace says on Roque’s plan for asylum

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro denied Tuesday allegations of political persecution which allegedly prompted former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to seek asylum in The Netherlands. 

At a press briefing, Castro said the pieces of evidence against Roque are “overwhelming.” 

“Hindi naman ito makakaapekto. Unang una, magpa-file pa lang yata siya ng petition at hindi pa naman ito naga-grant. Tandaan po natin, bago ito ma-grant dapat mapalabas niya po na may well founded fear of political persecution,” Castro said. 

(We believe it will not have any effect. First, he is set to file the petition and it is yet to be granted. Remember that before it will be granted, he should show that there is a well founded fear of political persecution.)

“How could there be a political persecution if all the pieces of evidence are overwhelming? Wala po tayong nakikitang political persecution. Harapin na lang niya ang kaso niya po dito. Mas maganda ‘yan para maipakita niya sa taumbayan na wala po talaga siyang kasalanan,” she added. 

(We do not see any political persecution. He should just face his cases here. It would be better to show the people that he is not guilty.)

To recall, the House Quad Committee in September 2024 cited Roque in contempt and ordered his detention after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly justify his increased wealth.

An Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order was also issued against Roque and 11 others in August.

Interpol

At the same briefing, Castro said that the Palace does not see the need yet to work with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to bring Roque back to the Philippines from The Netherlands. 

“Hindi pa natin nakikita ‘yan sa ngayon, pero siguro maiiba ang sitwasyon kung siya na ay may warrant of arrest na inissue ng korte,” she said. 

(We have yet to see that now but maybe the situation will change if a warrant of arrest has been issued against him.)

Roque announced Monday that he will file for an application for asylum in The Netherlands, stressing that he cannot go back to the Philippines as he wants to defend former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Roque earlier disclosed that Duterte's lawyers will include himself, former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and a member of the British Bar, Atty. Nicholas Kaufman, whom he said is another listed ICC counsel.

Authorities last week served a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Duterte for murder charges as a crime against humanity in connection with his deadly drug war that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 6,000 people.

The former Philippine leader is currently in detention at the ICC prison at The Hague, Netherlands. He made his first appearance before the ICC on Friday, via video link. — AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News