The fate of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s arrest warrant now lies in the hands of the Dutch government, as he pursues asylum in the Netherlands, according to a Department of Justice (DOJ) official.
Dennis Arvin Chan, who heads the DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, clarified on Tuesday that while an arrest warrant has already been issued, the processing and possible enforcement in the Netherlands would depend on how Dutch authorities choose to handle the situation.
“Dito sa Philippines, if we are faced with that scenario, kailangan matapos muna ‘yung refugee application. So may—mangunguna ‘yun above all other proceedings,” Chan explained in a GMA News Online report. He added that although legal processes can begin, it’s up to the Netherlands to determine how to proceed with implementation: “Now as to how it will be implemented, that is up for the Netherlands authorities on how they will treat it.”
The warrant, issued last week, involves Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others, in connection with a qualified human trafficking case linked to the POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.
Justice officials earlier said the warrant may be sent through Interpol and formal diplomatic channels. Roque has been in The Hague since resurfacing earlier this year, following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
