FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has vehemently denied claims by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that he applied for asylum in Germany following the denial of his asylum request in the Netherlands.
In a Facebook post, Roque stated that his trip to Germany was a pre-arranged visit at the invitation of the Filipino community and that he has since returned to The Hague.
He accused the Marcos Jr. administration, specifically the DOJ, of disseminating false information, citing this as the second instance of what he termed “fake news” from the DOJ Secretary. The first instance, according to Roque, was the DOJ’s claim that he possessed multiple passports.
Roque’s statement directly contradicts Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s earlier announcement that Roque’s asylum request had been denied by the Dutch government and that he had subsequently traveled to Germany to seek asylum there.
Remulla had explained that the open borders within the European Union allow individuals with valid visas to travel freely, but that this freedom would be compromised if Roque’s legal status were to change.
Remulla suggested that if Roque were to become a fugitive from justice or lose his documentation, Interpol could initiate pursuit. He further speculated that Roque’s situation could eventually lead to extradition proceedings, although this might become unnecessary if his passport were canceled, rendering him an undocumented alien.
The conflicting statements highlight a significant disagreement between Roque and the DOJ regarding his current whereabouts and intentions. Roque’s strong denial and accusations of “fake news” against the DOJ raise questions about the accuracy of information being released by the government.
The situation underscores the ongoing tension between Roque and the current administration, and the potential for further developments in this ongoing dispute. The differing accounts leave the public uncertain about the true nature of Roque’s situation and the accuracy of the information being disseminated by both parties.
