Harry Roque's asylum bid won't affect his cases in PH
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's request for asylum in the Netherlands will not affect the cases against him in the country, a Palace official said on Tuesday, March 18.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said that Roque's filing for an asylum in the Netherlands will not affect the cases of human trafficking and arrest warrant from the House of Representatives he is facing in the country now.
The Palace official pointed out that for someone to be granted asylum, he must prove that there is a "well-founded fear of political persecution," which, she said, is not the case for Roque.
She argued that there is an "overwhelming" evidence against him. Thus, it cannot be treated as political persecution.
"Tandaan po natin, bago po ito mag-grant dapat mapalabas niya po na may well-founded fear of political persecution (Let us not forget that before it will be granted, it should be proven that there is a well-founded fear of political persecution)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Tuesday, March 18.
"Tandaan din po natin na ang mga ebidensiyang nakalap ng PAOCC at that time ay bigla na lang lumapag sa harapan ng PAOCC without even any effort (Let us also not forget that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission got a hold of the evidence without even any effort)," Castro said.
"So, how could there be a political persecution if all the pieces of evidence are overwhelming," Castro stressed.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) undersecretary also told Roque to face his cases in the country to prove that he did not have any violation.
"So, wala po tayong nakikitang political persecution, harapin na lang po niya ang kaso niya po dito. Mas maganda po iyan para maipakita niya sa taumbayan na wala po talaga siya kasalanan (So, we do not see any political persecution, he should just face his cases here. That is better so he can show the people that he really has no violation)," Castro said.
Meanwhile, Castro said the government is not yet keen on coordinating with the Interpol to get Roque back to the Philippines.
"Hindi pa po natin nakikita po iyan sa ngayon pero siguro po maiiba ang sitwasyon kung siya na iyong may warrant of arrest na inisyu ng korte (We are still not considering that for now, but the situation will change once there is an arrest warrant issued against him by the court)," she said.
On March 17, Roque announced that he will be seeking political asylum in the Netherlands, saying: "I'm sorry, I cannot come home. I have to defend my president."