MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is questioning the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) how former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was able to obtain three Philippine passports.
In an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the DFA should be answerable as to how Roque gained too many passports.
“We will ask the DFA, siyempre sila ang gumagawa niyan, hindi naman ang DOJ,” Remulla said.
Remulla added that he previously received reports that Roque supposedly has three passports while initiating the cancellation of Roque’s passport before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court.
Roque is facing qualified and regular human trafficking cases before the Angeles City RTC in connection with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs.
“Ipapahalukay namin iyan kasi we are petitioning for the cancellation of his passport fugitive from the law na siya,” Remulla said.
In a Facebook post, Roque reiterated that he has applied for asylum following reports that the DOJ is seeking to cancel his passport.
“I have exercised my human right to seek asylum to escape political persecution by Marcos Jr. Under international law, I cannot be extradited while Dutch authorities are considering my asylum application,” he said.
“The Philippine government should not be so arrogant, especially when European countries — including the Netherlands — uphold human rights and the right to asylum in cases of political persecution. If they already failed in Timor-Leste, they stand even less of a chance here,” he added.
Roque earlier claimed being a victim of political persecution as he is an ally of the Duterte family, a claim that Malacañang has since rejected./PN
