Online reports claimed former presidential spokesman Harry Roque was arrested in The Netherlands yesterday, but the Justice and Interior departments said they have not yet received official confirmation.
Roque, however, denied circulating reports of his looming deportation to the Philippines.
On his social media page, Roque shared a copy of his boarding pass to Vienna, Austria.
“There is no truth to the rumors that I have been arrested. I have a scheduled flight to Vienna, Austria today, November 25. Details to follow,” Roque said.
Department of Justice spokesman Polo Martinez said the government has not yet received any official communication regarding the alleged arrest or travel of Roque.
But Martinez said Roque may be detained by immigration authorities if he travels without a valid passport.
“He should not be able to travel without a valid passport. Immigration authorities in any country can detain him for traveling without proper travel documentation. This fact is certain,” Martinez said.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said they have not received any official communication confirming Roque’s alleged arrest.
“Reports of Atty. Harry Roque being arrested in the Netherlands are circulating. By virtue of the Red Notice issued by the Philippine government, authorities in the Netherlands have cause to arrest him and turn him over to Philippine authorities,” Remulla said.
“However, I would like to emphasize that no official communication confirming an arrest has been transmitted to us. We will make the appropriate announcement once an official confirmation is received,” the DILG chief added.
The Philippine National Police, for its part, said it has placed its intelligence and tracker teams on heightened readiness.
PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they are closely coordinating with the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila while awaiting official communication on the red notice request.
“We will be the primary enforcement arm once the red notice is approved. We ensure that all police units nationwide are alerted and prepared to act,” Nartatez said in a statement.
