Harry Roque’s asylum request in the Netherlands will not be interfered with by Malacañang, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.
Castro stated that the Palace would only act on the matter if a case is officially filed against Roque and if a warrant of arrest is issued.
The Palace has expressed doubts about Roque’s chances of obtaining asylum, believing that he may struggle to prove political persecution in the Philippines.
“Sa ngayon po, siguro’y nabalitaan ninyo na po na hindi na po makakasama si Atty. Harry Roque bilang parte ng legal team ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Siguro po o kung sinabi man niya na nandudoon siya, hindi siya uuwi dahil iri-represent niya ang kaniyang presidente, mas maganda po siguro na unahin niya munang i-represent iyong sarili niya, ipagtanggol ang sarili niya bago magtanggol ng ibang tao,” pahayag ni USec. Claire Castro.
(For now, perhaps you have heard that Atty. Harry Roque will no longer be part of former President Duterte’s legal team. If he claims he is staying there to represent his president, it would be better for him to first represent himself, defend himself before defending others,” said USec. Claire Castro.)
Malacañang’s statement was in response to Roque’s asylum request, following the Makabayan bloc’s plan to block his appeal.
The Palace official emphasized that since Roque is no longer part of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal defense team before the International Criminal Court (ICC), he has no reason to remain in the Netherlands.
She added that Roque should return to the Philippines and focus on defending himself against the accusations he is facing.
“Well, anyway patungkol po sa kaniyang asylum, kapag po siguro mayroon nang warrant of arrest at kung siguro pong may kaso na po talaga siyang kriminal na kakaharapin po sa korte, diyan lang po na magri-react ang Palasyo,” dagdag pa ni USec. Claire Castro.
(Well, regarding his asylum request, perhaps if there is already a warrant of arrest and if he truly has a criminal case to face in court, only then will the Palace react,” added USec. Claire Castro.)