Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque expressed confidence that the Philippine government’s effort to secure an Interpol red notice against him will not push through, as he claims the international police body has already received his request to be removed from the list.
Roque, who is facing an arrest warrant in connection with qualified trafficking charges, said Interpol acknowledged his petition for delisting, which he said is anchored on his ongoing asylum application with the European Union.
“They accepted the opposition and asked that I submit English translations of proof that I have sought asylum,” Roque told “Storycon” on One News yesterday.
He added that based on his coordination with Austrian authorities, he has been informed that he is not currently included in the red notice list.
“(My request is) pending, but so far, I have confirmed – I have conferred regularly with Austrian authorities – that I am not in the red notice,” he said.
As of writing, Roque’s name does not appear in the red notices published on Interpol’s official website.
Roque is currently in Austria, where his asylum application is undergoing processing.
He also asserted that his passport remains valid, citing a pending motion for reconsideration.
In November last year, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Roque’s passport had been canceled through a Pasig court order.
Roque has repeatedly claimed that the case against him is politically motivated, insisting he is being unfairly prosecuted.
The case against Roque is linked to allegations connecting him to illegal operations involving a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Pampanga.
