Philippine gov't can't block Roque's asylum bid but may provide info to Dutch authorities

The Philippine government cannot block former presidential spokesman Harry Roque's asylum application in the Netherlands but can provide information to Dutch authorities regarding political persecution.

DFA Migrant Workers Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega stated during a briefing on Thursday, March 27, that while the final decision lies with the Netherlands, the Philippines is ready to disprove Roque's claims of political oppression by presenting evidence that he is not politically oppressed and emphasizing that the Philippines upholds democracy without political prisoners or oppression.

Roque applied for asylum in the Netherlands after the former president's arrest, allegedly to represent him before the ICC but was excluded from his legal team by Vice President Sara Duterte.

House lawmakers and an online petition with over 11,000 signatures have called on the DFA to block Roque's asylum request and compel him to return for congressional hearings.

Roque faces an arrest warrant in the Philippines for failing to appear before the House quad committee last year, which ordered him to attend its hearings and present documents disclosing his financial records in connection with allegations of involvement in illegal activities found in now-defunct Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).