Local Court Issues Arrest Warrant vs. Harry Roque over Illegal POGO-related Issues
HARRY ROQUE ARREST – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that it may seek the assistance of the Interpol in serving the warrant against the former presidential spokesman.
When former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested and brought to The Hague, Netherlands. countless Filipinos were surprised by the sudden public appearance of former presidential spokesman Roque. He was missing from the public eye for around six (6) months since he was cited for contempt by the House of Representatives.
Roque is accused of alleged involvement with the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operations. Amid the calls from Malacañang for him to return to the country and face the accusations against him, the former presidential spokesman applied for asylum in the Netherlands.
Previously. Harry Roque announced that he is an asylum seeker in the Netherlands. He also claimed that he allegedly cannot be deported while the application process is ongoing. According to him, it may take up to a year and a half.
Roque previously expressed his desire to be part of the legal team of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his legal battle before the International Criminal Court. He is an ICC-accredited lawyer. However, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said they want the lawyers of her father to really be focusing in the case while Roque must focus on his bid for asylum.
Despite the statement of the younger Duterte, Harry Roque wanted to visit former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte believing that he has the final say over his legal counsels. The ICC legal team of the former President was finalized and no Filipino lawyer is a member of it.
Recently, a regional trial court in Angeles, Pampanga released an arrest warrant against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that they may tap the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol in serving the warrant.
“We will have to go through diplomatic channels and marami yang diplomatic channels available. Pwedeng direkta makipag-usap sa gobyerno kung saan ang accused. Pwede rin tayong dumaan sa iba’t ibang international organization kasama na diyan ang Interpol,” Mico Clavano, Justice Assistant Secretary, said.
Furthermore, based on the report, the DOJ Assistant Secretary stressed that the justice department has to obtain jurisdiction over Roque first and, to do it, he must be brought to the court.
“That is the only time na magkakaroon ng jurisdiction ang court over the person and that is the only time na pwedeng magsalita ang court doon sa trial niya,” he said.
Previously, while in The Hague, Harry Roque slammed the Marcos administration over the P20 per kilo rice sale program.