Roque denies asylum application rejection

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday denied a circulating post on social media claiming that his application for asylum in the Netherlands was denied.

In a text message to DAILY TRIBUNE, Roque said that he remains a bona fide asylum seeker, as his asylum application is still pending before the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), which processes asylum applications.

“Bwahahahaha. Fake news,” Roque said, referring to a social media post claiming that his application was denied by the Dutch government, hence, the need for him to leave the country.

“[I am] still a bona fide asylum seeker. FYI (For your information), Germany is five minutes away from me,” he added.

The social media post claimed that Roque is now in Bremen, a city in Germany.

“Apparently, Harry Roque was denied asylum in The Netherlands and had to leave. He posted a photo of himself in Bremen about 18 hours ago (current time is 6:52 p.m.),” the social media post said.

“A city known for two UNESCO World Heritage sites, a Mercedes Benz plant, and Beck's beer, Bremen is in northwestern Germany and about a four-hour ride by bus from The Hague,” it added.

Roque filed his asylum application in the Netherlands last month and cited what he called "political persecution through unjust prosecution" by the House Quad-Committee.

He is facing non-bailable human trafficking charges for his alleged involvement in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators firm in Pampanga.

Prior to this, Roque was the subject of an outstanding contempt order from the House of Representatives for repeatedly failing to attend its mega committee hearings.