Roque slams militant groups' alleged disruption of reception during UN trip

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Saturday denounced the alleged disruption made by some militant groups at a private reception he was attending in New York, that resulted in the injury of two elderly waiters.

"We deplore the effort of militant groups to deliberately cause harm to innocent people in their attempt to disrupt a private reception we were tendering for representatives of several foreign missions in New York," Roque said in a statement.

"The militant groups were not content to peacefully rally outside the restaurant, they charged upstairs, in the process injuring two elderly waiters, and causing damage to property," he added.

Roque said they were also informed by the restaurant that the rallyists ordered food and beverage but did not pay for them.

The Palace official is in New York for an official visit to the United Nations for the UN International Law week.

"I am one of the officials from the Office of the President and [delegation from the] Department of Foreign Affairs. My wife is with me, but on my account," Roque said.

Roque has been nominated by the Philippine government for a seat in the International Law Commission (ILC), a United Nations body.

He cited his being a professor for international law at the UP College of Law in Diliman for 15 years as one of his qualifications for the ILC post.

His bid, however, has been opposed by the UP Diliman Executive Committee and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA News