Former Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Speaks on Next Plan
HARRY ROQUE – The former spokesman of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced that he will seek asylum at the Netherlands.
After several months of monitoring updates regarding Roque, the Filipino populace has once again saw the former presidential spokesman in reports regarding the transfer of the custody of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Duterte was arrested by the authorities of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday upon his arrival from Hong Kong. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against the former President over the accusations surrounding his war on drugs campaign.
On Friday, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte made his initial appearance before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC. Outside the ICC, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte was spotted with former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Senator Robin Padilla.
Vice Pres. Duterte flew immediately the day after FPRRD was “forced” to board the flight to Dubai en route for the Netherlands. According to the Vice President, she is the only one in their family with a Schengen Visa and is a lawyer.
Vice Pres. Duterte claimed that former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte wants her to return to the Philippines. According to the Vice President, she will just talk to the legal team of her father and return to the country immediately as per his request. Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque is one of the legal counsels of Duterte.
The appearance of Roque is undeniably a surprised to many Filipinos. The House of Representatives has reportedly issued an arrest order against him but he could not be located. It was over the document explaining his wealth that he failed to submit to the lower chamber.
Malacañang encouraged the Filipinos to call for “Bring Home Roque” following his public appearance at the Netherlands. Recently, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque revealed his next plan which is to seek asylum at the Netherlands.
“Well, I’m formally announcing that after a meeting today, I’m formally filing for asylum here at the Netherlands. As soon as my application of asylum is received, I do have rights to non-refoulement,” Roque said.
Based on a report on GMA News, Roque further explained that if he will be granted the asylum by the Netherlands, he will be under a “non-deportation status” until the ICC trial of former Pres. Duterte is over. He won’t also be prosecuted for “illegal entry”.
Aside from its comment on the presence of Roque abroad, Malacañang also reacted to Davao Mayor Baste Duterte’s message for PBBM.