The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, May 22, it will seek the cancellation of the passport of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla told journalists: “We will do that and once his passport is cancelled, he will be an undocumented alien.”
“‘Pag wala siyang asylum at nakansel ang passport niya (When he fails to secure asylum and his passport gets cancelled), he will have to be deported,” Remulla also said.
The Angeles City regional trial court (RTC) has issued an arrest order against Roque and his co-accused on the non-bailable charges of qualified human trafficking.
The cases involved the alleged criminal activities of Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga that has been shut down by the government.
Roque has applied for asylum before the government of Netherlands and the application has not been acted upon.
Remulla admitted the asylum application has to be finished before anyone takes action on Roque’s deportation.
But he expressed confidence that “the Netherlands will not tolerate the commission of crimes that are being charged in this case.”
Apart from seeking the cancellation of Roque’s passport, the DOJ earlier said that it will ask the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice that requests foreign governments to arrest and return the lawyer to Philippine custody.