THE implementation of an arrest warrant issued against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in the Philippines rests with the Netherlands government, given his pending asylum application, a Department of Justice (DOJ) official said Tuesday.
Dennis Arvin Chan, head of the DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, clarified that while Interpol could potentially be involved, the priority in the Philippines is the resolution of Roque’s asylum request.
“Here in the Philippines, if we are faced with that scenario, the refugee application must first be completed. That will take precedence above all other proceedings,” Chan explained.
However, Chan emphasized that this doesn’t necessarily mean the arrest warrant is on hold. “It can already be processed,” he said. “Now as to how it will be implemented, that is up to the Netherlands authorities on how they will treat it.”
The arrest warrant, issued last week, charges Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others with qualified human trafficking linked to the POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.
The DOJ previously indicated that the warrant could be pursued through Interpol and diplomatic channels. Roque, who sought asylum in the Netherlands and reappeared in
The Hague following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March, is now awaiting the outcome of his asylum application. The Netherlands’ handling of the warrant will determine the next steps in the case.
metrosundaily
