DOJ files motion to cancel Harry Roque's passports

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a motion to cancel the passports of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Monday.

“It will limit his options. I think he holds two or three passports pa nga eh. May nagsabi sa akin ng ganoon. Ang mahalaga, talagang mapilitan siya mag-account sa kanyang mga ginawa dito at depensahan niya ang sarili niya,” he said.

(It will limit his options. I think he even holds two or three passports, someone told me that. What’s important is that he is really forced to account for what he did here and defend himself.)

“Hindi pa nga nagsisimula ang lahat eh, tinatakasan na niya. Sa batas natin, flight is an indication of guilt. Kaya sana harapin na niya lang para naman maging madali ang lahat sa ating bansa,” he added.

(It hasn’t even started yet, and he’s already running away. Under our law, flight is an indication of guilt. So hopefully, he just faces it so everything will be easier for our country.)

GMA News Online has asked Roque for his comment on the matter but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

In a previous 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 is also facing charges for qualified human trafficking before the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC).

He earlier claimed being a victim of political persecution as he is an ally of the Duterte family, a claim that Malacañang has since rejected.

The RTC has issued an arrest warrant against him.

If their motion is granted, Remulla said Roque will become an undocumented alien.

He also said that he doubts that The Netherlands will grant Roque’s asylum bid.

“Kasi (Because) Netherlands is one of the countries that go against human trafficking, which is the charge against Harry Roque,” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News