Roque’s arrest on hold pending asylum decision
‘In the Philippines, if the asylum application is still pending, we have to wait for its resolution before moving forward.’
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
Daily Tribune‘In the Philippines, if the asylum application is still pending, we have to wait for its resolution before moving forward.’
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque
Arresting former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque through Interpol might have to wait if the Netherlands denies his asylum application, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said Tuesday.
Chief State Counsel Arvin L. Chan explained, “In the Philippines, if the asylum application is still pending, we have to wait for its resolution before moving forward.”
Chan, who leads the DoJ’s Stateless Persons and Protection Unit, said the refugee or asylum status must be settled first before any other legal steps can proceed.
This came in response to questions about the enforcement of arrest warrants issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court against Roque and his co-accused. They face non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges linked to Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga, which the government has shut down.
Roque has openly admitted to seeking asylum in the Netherlands, claiming political persecution in the Philippines.
“When we received information about the arrest warrant, we immediately informed the relevant authorities that his asylum application is still pending,” Chan said. “We have to wait for the final decision on that application before we can proceed with the arrest warrant.”
He also noted that if no arrest request is made, the state isn’t required to notify the government about a Filipino national seeking asylum abroad.
“The idea behind asylum is that a person tries to avoid persecution and wouldn’t normally announce they’re applying for it,” Chan added.
To approve an asylum claim, it must fall under one of five grounds defined by the 1951 Refugee Convention: persecution based on religion, race, gender, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.