DFA ready to assist law enforcement on the case of Harry Roque
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday, Jan. 14, that it is ready to assist law enforcement agencies if they ask for help on the case of fugitive lawyer and former president Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman, Harry Roque.
Angelica Escalona, spokesperson for the DFA, said that once law enforcement agencies "have made their determination on the approach they wish to undertake and communicated it to DFA," regarding Roque, the agency is “always ready to assist.”
"This is primarily a law enforcement process," she added.
Escalona's statement came after Roque, whose passport was already cancelled over the human trafficking charges he is facing in the Philippines, remains on the loose.
On Wednesday, Roque expressed deep concern over statements made by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro, who asserted that he "should never be assisted by the diplomatic agents of the Philippine Embassy."
For him, such a statement "reflects a gross ignorance of the law, diplomatic practice, and the fundamental rights of Filipino citizens abroad."
He said all Filipino nationals are entitled to consular assistance and protection, regardless of any allegations against them, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.