Castro to 'fugitive' Roque: Watch full video first before calling out

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Wednesday hit back at former presidential spokesman Harry Roque as they traded barbs about the propriety of Philippine diplomats providing him assistance as a "fugitive."

At a press briefing, Castro said it would be better to help a fugitive return to the Philippines instead of being coddled abroad.

"Hindi po natin sinasabi na dapat na huwag tulungan ang isang fugitive. Mas maganda po talagang tutulungan ang isang fugitive na makabalik sa Pilipinas. 'Pag sinabi po natin na 'pagkakanlong,' iyon po ay pagtatago, pagkukubli sa isang fugitive mula sa kamay ng batas dito sa Pilipinas," Castro said. 

(I didn't say that we shouldn't help a fugitive. It's better if we help a fugitive return to the Philippines. Once we say 'coddle,' it means to help a fugitive hide from the arms of Philippine law.)

"So, mas maganda po kay Harry Roque intindihin muna po ang buong video, panoorin niya at para po hindi naman po siya nagiging source palagi ng fake news," she added.

(It's better for Harry Roque to understand the entire video so that he won't be a source of fake news.) 

In a separate statement, Roque said he is deeply concerned by Castro's recent statement, "who asserted that I, as an alleged fugitive, 'should never be assisted by the diplomatic agents of the Philippine Embassy.'" 

"I categorically affirm that no Philippine diplomat is legally or ethically permitted to refuse assistance to a Filipino citizen based solely on unproven allegations," Roque said. 

He called on Castro and all public officials to exercise careful consideration, accuracy, and respect for the rule of law when speaking about the rights of Filipinos abroad.

The issue stemmed from the circulating photo of Roque and Philippine Ambassador to Austria and Slovakia Luli Arroyo-Bernas.

It was learned that the photo was taken in 2023. — VDV, GMA Integrated News