Remulla: Phl can seek Roque repatriation if EU asylum bid fails

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said the Philippine government can request the repatriation of former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque if his asylum bid in Europe is denied.

“Basta ma-deny yan, puwede na namin siyang i-request for repatriation, papuntang Pilipinas,” Remulla said in a radio interview, referring to Roque, who is facing qualified human trafficking charges in connection with the alleged illegal activities of Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator.

“Pero tingin ko, ma-deny rin ’yun,” he added.

The Philippines has already requested an Interpol red notice for Roque and other personalities implicated in the case. The former presidential spokesperson has repeatedly denied the allegations as fabricated and politically motivated. In March, he revealed that he had applied for asylum in The Netherlands.

Because Roque entered Europe using a Schengen visa issued by Austria, he said Dutch authorities told him that Austria must decide on his asylum petition. Under the EU’s Dublin Regulation, the country that issued a person’s visa is typically responsible for processing an asylum request.

Roque noted that although Austria issued his visa, his intended destination had always been The Hague in The Netherlands.

Under the Dublin rules, only one member country should process an asylum request—usually the country where the person first entered Europe, where they were registered, or where they obtained a visa or residence permit.