No political persecution on Roque, says Palace

Malacañang Palace, on Tuesday, clarified that there is no political persecution against former Palace Spokesman Harry Roque, who is currently in The Netherlands as part of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team.

On Monday, Roque said he will seek political asylum in The Netherlands as he joined Duterte’s legal defense team.

In a briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro explained that Roque must first file a petition for political asylum and must prove that he is fearing political persecution.

“Let's remember, before [political asylum] is granted, he must be able to demonstrate that he has a well-founded fear of political persecution,” she said.

Castro explained that there is evidence submitted to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) pointing at Roque in relation to cases filed against him.

“Let us also remember that the evidence gathered by PAOCC at that time suddenly landed on PAOCC without even any effort – these documents were just discovered… So, how could there be a political persecution if all the pieces of evidence are overwhelming?” she said.

Castro shared that among the evidence are bank documents with Roque’s name found at Lucky South 99, a POGO and scam hub in Porac, Pampanga; documents belonging to his assistant AR Dela Serna in the same location, as well as a lease contract for the same establishment.

She also suggested to Roque that he face the charges against him in the Philippines to prove his innocence.

“So, we don't see any political persecution, he should just face his case here – that would be better so he can show the people that he is truly innocent,” she said.

Roque left the country in 2024 before the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee issued an arrest order against him after being cited for contempt for failure to submit documents explaining his wealth.

The Justice Department is also looking for Roque as he is facing human trafficking complaints due to his alleged “active participation” in the operations of Lucky South 99, located in Porac, Pampanga, one of the sites used as scam hubs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Investigation (BI) revealed that Roque might have passed through the same route taken by Alice Guo in escaping the country.

“Since Atty. Roque has no recorded departure in the BI’s records, he most likely took the same route as Alice Guo in leaving the country by using a backdoor exit in Tawi-Tawi,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said in a Senate hearing.

He added that powerful individuals backed by POGO can easily sneak out of the country to other countries.

Roque earlier said he entered The Netherlands legally as he is a Schengen visa holder.