Roque slams Red Notice move as ‘political retaliation’

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Sunday rejected the Philippine government’s request for an Interpol Red Notice, denouncing the move as a violation of international rules and a product of what he claimed were politically motivated charges.

In a statement dated 7 December, Roque said he “vehemently” opposed the Red Notice request, asserting that he is a protected bona fide asylum seeker under Dutch and European Union law. He said he holds official documentation from the Netherlands’ Immigration and Naturalisation Service affirming his protected status.

Roque insisted that the non-bailable syndicated trafficking allegation filed against him was fabricated, calling it part of what he described as the Marcos administration’s retaliation against allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte. He said the complaint was being “weaponized to discredit and silence” him as a critic of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The former Palace spokesperson claimed the Philippine government’s request violated Interpol’s legal framework, citing Article 2 of the Interpol Constitution, which outlines the organization’s human rights obligations, and Article 3, which prohibits involvement in matters “predominantly political in character.”

“Interpol jurisprudence clearly prohibits Red Notices against political opponents and asylum seekers,” Roque said.

He added that he had already submitted his formal opposition to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files, the body tasked with reviewing Red Notice requests, urging it to deny the Philippine government’s submission.