The Department of Justice has expressed confidence that Austrian authorities will closely examine former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s plan to seek refuge in their country, saying officials there are expected to verify every detail he submits.
Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan explained that while host nations are not obliged to consult an asylum seeker’s home government, he believes Vienna “will do the necessary research, validation of the information that Atty. Harry Roque will be giving them.” He added, “We trust in their own process as we also believe that other countries will respect the integrity of our own asylum process.”
Roque earlier announced that he intends to lodge his asylum plea in Austria. His move follows the Dublin Regulation, which directs applicants to file for protection in the first European Union country they enter. He had previously said in March that he was pursuing asylum in the Netherlands.
Justice officials maintain that Roque is not the target of political persecution, contrary to his claim. They insist he must face the qualified human trafficking charges pending against him in a Pasig City court. “Meron naman tayo ditong due process, there are fundamental rights of the accused and those facing criminal charges that are guaranteed under the Constitution so puwede naman niyang i-avail ang mga rights na iyon,” Chan said.
The Pasig City Regional Trial Court has already revoked the passports of Roque and co-accused Cassandra Li Ong, Dennis Cunanan, Ronelyn Baterna and Mercides Cabasa in connection with the case.
Chan noted that the cancellation does not prevent Roque from moving around within the European Union. However, he said that if the International Criminal Police Organization issues a red notice, authorities overseas could arrest him and arrange for his return to the Philippines.
