The Department of Justice (DOJ) denied allegations that it had directed the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque.
This clarification came after reports and social media posts claimed that the DOJ had already coordinated with Interpol for Roque’s arrest.
DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano categorically stated that the circulating reports are false and misleading.
According to Clavano, the department is still in the process of evaluating the legal options available and has not taken any formal steps with Interpol at this time.
He emphasized that preparations are ongoing and that the DOJ is carefully examining the case against Roque, particularly with regard to his alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations.
Atty. Roque is currently in the Netherlands, where he has a pending asylum application before the Dutch government.
The DOJ acknowledged that the application for asylum complicates any immediate attempts to arrest Roque under Philippine legal procedures.
Justice Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan explained that Philippine protocol requires the resolution of an individual’s asylum application before the implementation of any arrest warrant.
However, Chan clarified that the final decision on whether Interpol can serve the warrant while Roque’s asylum bid is ongoing rests solely with the government of the Netherlands.
Chan further stated, “When we receive information that there is a warrant of arrest, we just inform the concerned authorities that there is a pending asylum application that must be resolved with finality before we can move forward with that warrant of arrest.”