Roque seeks political asylum in Netherlands
Metro Manila, Philippines - Former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Monday, March 17, plans to seek political asylum in the Netherlands, claiming “political persecution” in congressional hearings linking him to illegal offshore gaming.
Roque has evaded an arrest warrant from the House of Representatives for defying the quad-committee in submitting subpoenaed documents.
“Dito sa Europa, unheard of ang warrant of arrest na indefinite ang lifetime, number two, walang bail, and number three, malinaw naman ‘yan na ito’y isang imbestigasyon sa POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) na nais talagang i-link kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Roque said in a virtual news conference that was also live streamed through his Facebook page.
[Translation: Here in Europe, it’s unheard of to have a warrant of arrest that is indefinite, number two, no bail, and number three, it’s clear that the POGO investigation is being linked to Duterte.]
“I’m confident that I can prove political persecution through unjust prosecution ng [of the] quad committee,” he added.
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Roque said as soon as his asylum application was received, he would have “the rights to non-refoulement.”
“Non-refoulement, under international law, means number one, non-deportation until matapos ‘yong imbestigasyon [until the investigation is finished] ] if I’m entitled to asylum status, and number two, non-prosecution for illegal entry,” he said.
Roque did not confirm the country he came from before setting foot in the Netherlands. He only said his entry to the European nation was legal and through a visa.
“I don’t have to answer that please,” Roque said when asked if he came from Dubai. “Ang alam ko [What I know is that] I don’t have a warrant of arrest. I don’t have a hold departure order. And I can only confirm I’m now in the Netherlands.”
He arrived at the International Criminal Court (ICC) headquarters on Friday with Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla, another Duterte supporter.
Roque went to The Hague after the former chief executive was detained in the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity of murder related to extrajudicial killings during the bloody war on drugs.
He said he wants to join Duterte’s ICC legal team. Duterte’s confirmation of charges is set for Sept. 23.
Asylum application
Roque said he will undergo a procedure before he will be given proof that he’s an asylum seeker and temporary residence in the European country.
He is expected to apply at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) at Ter Apel.
The Netherlands government “grants asylum to people who are in danger, risk torture or inhuman treatment in their country of origin,” according to its website. It said that “special procedures are followed to determine whether an asylum seeker genuinely needs protection.”
The IND will assess asylum applications on the basis of “the asylum seeker’s story (facts and credibility)” and “the security situation in the country of origin.”
According to the IND, foreign nationals seeking asylum can get a residence permit if they meet one of the following requirements:
+ The asylum-seeker has “well-founded reasons to fear persecution in your country of origin because of your race, religion, nationality or political opinion, or because you belong to a certain social group. These reasons are explained in the Geneva Convention on Refugees.”
+ The asylum-seeker has “well-founded reasons to fear the death penalty or execution, torture or other inhumane or degrading treatment in your country of origin.”
+ The asylum-seeker has “well-founded reasons to fear that you will become a victim of random violence due to an armed conflict in your country of origin.”
+ The asylum-seeker’s “husband or wife, partner, mother or minor child has recently obtained an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands.”
