Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s bid for asylum in the Netherlands has been rejected, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Wednesday. Roque is reportedly now in Germany, despite an active arrest warrant issued by a Pampanga court over a qualified human trafficking case.
“He was not granted asylum by the Netherlands. So he is in Germany,” Remulla said in an interview with reporters.
The Department of Justice is working to cancel Roque’s passport, which would make him an “undocumented alien” and subject to arrest by Interpol.
Although no exact timeline was given for the passport cancellation, Remulla noted that within the EU’s open-border policy, Roque could still travel freely as long as he has a visa. However, that freedom ends once he loses official documentation.
Roque, along with others including Cassandra Ong, is facing charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act for alleged involvement with the POGO-linked firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. He was reportedly more than just legal counsel—he also represented the company that operated the hub.
The DOJ says Roque’s legal and corporate involvement in Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land to Lucky South 99, ties him directly to the operations now under criminal investigation.