MANILA — Embattled lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed Dutch authorities attempted to place him on a flight to Vienna, Austria, insisting that it was the Austrian government — the issuer of his visa — that must decide on his bid for protection amid his ongoing asylum request in the Netherlands.
Roque, whose Philippine passport was earlier cancelled as he faces qualified human trafficking charges, denied reports that he had been arrested, but confirmed he was removed from the aircraft and prevented from flying to Vienna.
In a video posted on Boldyak TV, Roque said Dutch medical personnel had initially cleared him to travel, but his surgeons later declared him unfit to fly, prompting authorities to abort the transfer.
Roque said Dutch officials repeatedly told him that “it was up to the Austrian government to give him protection because it was the latter that gave him his visa.”
He added that he underwent two surgeries before being informed that he should pursue his protection request in Austria instead of the Netherlands.
Roque said he did not contest the Dutch position, expressing confidence that he could pursue his asylum claim “anywhere in Europe.”/PN
