DOJ seeks to cancel Roque's passport, DFA: He has one valid

The Department of Justice has filed a motion to cancel former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's passports, as confirmed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) clarified on Thursday that Roque only holds one valid regular Philippine passport issued in 2024 and set to expire in July 2034.

Roque faces charges of qualified human trafficking related to a Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga, and is currently seeking political asylum in The Netherlands.

Remulla expressed doubt about the possibility of Roque receiving asylum due to his involvement in human trafficking cases and emphasized that if undocumented, he could face deportation proceedings.

Hold departure orders have also been issued against Roque's co-accused to prevent them from leaving the country.

Roque went into hiding after a House of Representatives' Quad Committee issued an arrest warrant and a contempt citation against him for failing to provide documentation explaining his sudden increase in wealth.