The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has granted the motion to cancel the passport of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, and 3 others in relation to a human trafficking case.
Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon confirmed to reporters the development yesterday.
The court also granted the cancellation of the passport of Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, an associate in the Lucky South99 alleged scam hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Earlier this year, a Pampanga court ordered the arrest of Roque and Ong in relation to the qualified human trafficking case involving the Lucky South99 facility.
In a separate interview with Manila Standard, lawyer Evecar Cruz-Ferrer said that while the cancellation will make it difficult for Roque to travel, an Interpol assistance is also an option.
“It is always an option for the government. The non-refoulement argument espoused by Atty. Harry Roque is largely dependent on the appreciation of Dutch authorities whether the same is applicable in his case and whether they will invoke the same in refusing to turn him over,” she noted.
Yesterday, Roque, who currently resides in The Netherlands, insisted that Dutch authorities cannot cause his return to the Philippines due to his pending asylum request.
“I reiterate that I continue to be protected under the international principle of non-refoulement, despite the Philippine Government’s renewed moves to cancel my passport and to seek an Interpol Red Notice against me… Because the Dutch authorities know I am an asylum seeker, the Dutch police cannot lawfully apprehend or return me to the Philippines while my asylum petition is pending,” he said in a statement.
He claims that an Interpol Red Notice is a request for international law-enforcement cooperation, and not an international arrest warrant.
Further, he noted that the attempts to cancel his passport and seek Interpol’s assistance are politically motivated.
Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the principle of non-refoulement assumes political persecution in the country.
“[Roque] is being charged here for crimes that [he] allegedly committed and it is incumbent upon to answer these charges… If he does come back here, he will be able to face the charges and have the opportunity to present his defenses. These avenues are not being inhibited from him, he has the chance to come here and prove his innocence,” he explained.
