Palace communications undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday said it would be better for lawyer Harry Roque to return home and prove that he has done nothing wrong.
Castro was reacting to Roque’s announcement that he had filed for asylum in the Netherlands.
“He is no longer part of the legal team of former President Duterte, wasn’t that the reason why he didn’t come home?” she said in a news briefing.
But Roque, who has been linked to alleged illegal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), insists that his asylum request is necessary due to political persecution. He claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte advised him to seek asylum.
“I am not in The Hague right now because our Vice President ordered me to work on my asylum first,” Roque revealed. “All I am waiting for is the initial interview, which is part of the application process.”
House lawmakers meanwhile called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to collaborate with Dutch authorities to block Roque’s asylum request.
The Makabayan bloc, composed of ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, condemned Roque’s “shameless attempt to escape accountability.”
House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list, also said that “Roque’s asylum bid is nothing more than a cowardly maneuver to escape the consequences of his actions.”
“He (Roque) has been cited in contempt and ordered detained for his refusal to cooperate in our investigation into POGO-related criminal activities. Now, he wants to flee the country to avoid answering for his alleged role in a human trafficking scheme. If he has nothing to hide, why is he running?” the lawmaker added.
Roque’s move comes five months after a human trafficking case was filed against him and two others before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The complaint, filed by government prosecutors, alleges that Roque used his position and influence to protect and enable criminal syndicates running offshore gambling hubs involved in human trafficking, cyber fraud, and money laundering.
The Quad Comm, composed of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order, Public Accounts, and Human Rights, has been conducting an extensive probe into the rampant criminality linked to POGOs.
Lawmakers have exposed how offshore gambling hubs have become breeding grounds for organized crimes, including human trafficking, forced labor, prostitution, online scams, and even drug syndicates.
Roque, who has been linked to questionable dealings with certain POGO operators, was ordered detained by the House after repeatedly refusing to cooperate and answer critical questions about his alleged connections to illicit activities.
Acidre urged law enforcement agencies to coordinate with international authorities to prevent Roque from using asylum as a shield against prosecution.
“The law must take its course. We cannot allow individuals to exploit international legal mechanisms just to escape criminal liability,” he said. “Roque may attempt to run, but the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with him. We will ensure that he faces justice—whether here or abroad.”