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‘Ang alam ko hindi siya nabigyan ng Netherlands kaya nasa Germany na ang pagbibigay nito kung sa baka sakali,’ says Justice Secretary Boying Remulla
MANILA, Philippines – The Netherlands has denied the asylum bid of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed on Wednesday, June 18.
“Ang alam ko hindi siya nabigyan ng Netherlands kaya nasa Germany na ang pagbibigay nito kung sa baka sakali (As far as I know the Netherlands did not grant his asylum that’s why it’s now up to Germany if he will be given one),” Remulla told reporters
Asylum is protection given by a country to a person who has left their home country as a political refugee.
Shortly after the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte in March, Roque appeared in The Hague, after months of being away from the public eye. He announced then he would apply for asylum in the Netherlands.
At the time, Roque was able to roam around the globe because his only arrest order was a congressional detention order after the House of Representatives cited him in contempt. Prior to The Hague, Roque traveled under the radar, reportedly to Dubai and China.
Things are different now for Roque because he is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a court in Angeles City, Pampanga, over charges of qualified trafficking in persons. The non-bailable offense stemmed from Roque’s alleged ties with a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Pampanga.
Back in April, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said Remulla had given him instructions to deal with Roque’s case and to block the asylum bid.
For now, Remulla said the Philippine government is waiting for the cancellation of Roque’s passport.
“Hihintayin natin. Puwede namang file-an ng extradition ‘yan pagdating ng panahon, pero baka ‘di na kailangan kasi ka-cancel-in naman ang passport niya. ‘Pag naging undocumented alien ‘yan ay puwede nang kunin ng Interpol,” Remulla told reporters.
(We will wait. We can file an extradition case when the time comes, although it might not be necessary because his passport will be canceled. If he becomes an undocumented alien, he can be arrested by the Interpol.)
Remulla might be referring to the Philippine government’s strategy in deporting another fugitive, former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, who sought refuge in Timor-Leste. After going through the extradition route, the Philippine government later relied on the deportation process, helped facilitated by the Timorese government, in bringing Teves home.
A local court had canceled the passport of Teves, who faces local cases. He was arrested through the Interpol. – Rappler.com
