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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ asks court to cancel Harry Roque's passport

DOJ asks court to cancel Harry Roque's passport

Published May 26, 2025 01:51 pm

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Angeles City regional trial court (RTC) to cancel the passport of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque against whom an arrest order has been issued on charges of non-bailable qualified human trafficking.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said the pleading was filed before the RTC last Friday, May 23.

Should Roque’s passport be cancelled, he will become an undocumented alien abroad and will be deported to the Philippines, Remulla said.

Roque is in the Netherlands and he, himself, had confirmed that he had applied for asylum in that country.

“Ang mahalaga talagang mapilitan s’yang mag-account sa kanyang mga ginawa dito at depensahan niya ang sarili n’ya. ‘Di pa nga nagsisimula ang lahat e tinatakasan na n’ya ‘di ba. Sa batas natin flight is an indication of guilt (What’s important is that he is made to account for what he did. He immediately escaped the Philippines before anything could be started. Flight is an indication of guilt), Remulla said.

He urged Roque: “Harapin n’ya na lang para naman maging madali ang lahat para sa ating bansa (to face the charges so that it will be easy for everyone in the country).”

The DOJ sought the cancelation of Roque’s passport after the RTC issued warrants of arrest against him and his co-accused in the qualified human trafficking cases concerning 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 left the Philippines last year before the charges were filed in court and is currently applying for political asylum in the Netherlands.

Remulla expressed doubts that Roque will be granted asylum by the Netherlands.

He said: “Ang (The) Netherlands is one of the countries that goes against human trafficking which is the charge against Harry Roque.”

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