DOJ: Serving arrest warrant on Roque depends on Netherlands' asylum decision

On Tuesday, May 20, an official from the Department of Justice stated that serving the arrest warrant against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is contingent upon the Netherlands government's handling of his pending asylum request.

DOJ Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan clarified that in Philippine law, refugee applications must be resolved before any legal proceedings can proceed.

Chan emphasized that while Interpol and other diplomatic channels could process the arrest warrant, its implementation remains subject to how Dutch authorities manage Roque’s asylum case.

Roque previously stated in March that he felt relieved after filing his asylum petition in the Netherlands and cannot be deported until the application process concludes, which can take up to a year and a half.

Last week, a court issued an arrest warrant against Roque along with 48 others for qualified human trafficking related to the POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.