Asylum rejection fake news? Palace tells Roque DOJ has intelligence assets

Malacañang on Thursday downplayed former presidential spokesman Atty. Harry Roque's branding as fake news the Department of Justice's announcement that his asylum bid in the Netherlands had been rejected.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Roque had been "telegraphing his punches."

"'Wag po natin kalimutan na may intelligence assets ang [Department of Justice] at ibinibigay po nila ang karampatang impormayon sa Department of Justice," Castro said during Thursday's press briefing. 

''Nagpapasalamat tayo (we are thankful) because Atty. Harry Roque has been telegraphing his punches and the government, and the DOJ, we are ready for you,'' she added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said Roque, who is facing qualified human trafficking charges in the Philippines, has been denied political asylum in The Hague.

Remulla revealed this days after Roque denied that his asylum bid was rejected. He added that Roque was in Germany.

According to Remulla, the DOJ will wait for the results of Roque’s political asylum in Germany, adding the department might no longer request his extradition if his passport is cancelled.

For his part, Roque called out Remulla and described his statement as "fake news.'' He said his Germany trip was planned, and he is now back in The Hague. –NB, GMA Integrated News