FORMER presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s application for asylum in the Netherlands has been rejected, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Wednesday.
This revelation follows Roque’s continued refusal to return to the Philippines despite facing an arrest warrant issued by a Pampanga court for qualified human trafficking. Secretary Remulla clarified that Roque is currently in Germany, not the Netherlands as previously believed.
According to Secretary Remulla, the possibility of Roque’s extradition remains open.
However, he suggested that extradition might become unnecessary given the ongoing efforts to cancel Roque’s passport. With a cancelled passport, Roque would be considered an undocumented alien, potentially leading to his arrest by Interpol. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively pursuing the passport cancellation.
The DOJ’s actions underscore the government’s determination to bring Roque back to the Philippines to face the charges against him. The denial of his asylum application significantly weakens his position, and the impending cancellation of his passport further limits his options.
The situation highlights the international cooperation required in addressing cases involving individuals attempting to evade justice.
metrosundaily
