By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(June 21, 2025) – The Malacañang fired back on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque after he questioned why the government couldn’t bring him back to the Philippines from the Netherlands.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro stressed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) only awaits a formal notice regarding Roque’s asylum.
“Kung ang sinasabi po niya [Roque], come and get me; ayon naman po sa ating pamahalaan, wait and see,” said Castro in a media briefing on Friday.
Castro’s remarks came after Roque described the government’s intelligence as “laughable,” reiterating his petition for asylum wasn’t rejected.
ALSO READ: Roque debunks claim of asylum application being denied
“Come and get me. Ready pala sila sa akin. Ba’t hindi nila ako makuha? At nakakatawa naman itong intelligence ninyo. Maling-mali. Ano ba yan?” said the former human right lawyer in One PH’s Sa Totoo Lang.
On Wednesday, DOJ Secretary Boying Remulla told reporters that Roque went to Germany after the Netherlands denied his asylum application, adding the latter could be extradited “when the time comes.”
“Pero baka hindi na kailangan kasi ika-cancel na ‘yung passport niya. ‘Pag naging undocumented alien ‘yan, puwede nang kunin ng Interpol [International Criminal Police Organization],” added Remulla in an interview.
The DOJ has been seeking the cancellation of Roque’s passport due to his refusal to return amid a warrant of arrest issued against him by a regional trial court in Angeles, Pampanga.
Roque, who previously served under former president Rodrigo Duterte, is facing qualified trafficking due to his alleged involvement in a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga.
ALSO READ: Harry Roque has no multiple active passports, confirms DFA
Roque has gone into hiding since September 2024 after the quad-committee of the House of Representatives issued an arrest warrant for him for refusing to submit his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth from 2016 until 2022.
The quad committee at that time was investigating his unexplained wealth tied to POGO.
(With reports from Maricel Halili, News5)
(BR)
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