Harry Roque applies for asylum in The Netherlands

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he has already applied for asylum in the Netherlands amid an arrest warrant issued against him by the House Quad Committee in connection with its probe on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

"Ako po ngayon ay isang asylum seeker dahil naka-apply na po ako for asylum,” Roque said in a Facebook live on Thursday night.

(I am now an asylum seeker because I have already applied for asylum.)

Roque previously said that as an asylum seeker, he cannot be arrested or forced to return to the Philippines.

He added that it was Vice President Sara Duterte who instructed him to already work on his asylum.

“Wala po ako ngayon sa Hague dahil ang utos ng ating Vice President, atupagin ko muna ang aking asylum.

(I am not in The Hague right now because our Vice President ordered me to work on my asylum first. I am now an asylum seeker because I have already applied for asylum.)

“Ang inaantay ko lang po ay yung kauna-unahang interview na ito po ay kabahagi na ng application process,” he added.

(All I am waiting for is the initial interview, which is part of the application process.)

Roque suddenly emerged in The Hague last week when ex-president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and brought there to face the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Roque noted that he legally entered the Netherlands as he has a Schengen visa.

The former chief executive is facing a case in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in connection with his drug war.

Contempt

In September 2024, the House Quad Committee cited Roque in contempt and ordered his detention after he refused to submit documents that would justify his increased wealth amid the investigation into POGOs.

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

However, Malacañang earlier said that Roque should prove that he was facing political prosecution in the Philippines to be granted asylum. 

For Malacañang, it is unlikely for Roque to obtain asylum as there was supposedly much evidence against him.

Roque had described the Quad Comm’s probe as "a political inquisition against the Duterte family and me as their outspoken ally."

He has denied his role in illegal POGO operations, but has acknowledged providing legal counsel to Whirlwind Corporation, the owner of the land on which stood a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga where criminal activities such as torture and scams apparently took place. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News