MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday rejected claims by Harry Roque, former president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spokesperson, that the government is persecuting him.
“Wala po tayong nakikitang political persecution. Harapin na lang po niya ang kaso niya po dito. Mas maganda po iyan para maipakita niya sa taongbayan na wala po talaga siyang kasalanan,” Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
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| Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and Harry Roque, former president Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spokesperson. |
Roque is facing possible criminal prosecution due to evidence linking him to the illegal activities of shuttered Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) operations in the Philippines.
He recently surfaced in The Netherlands to extend legal support to the detained former president. He said he would seek political asylum in the European country following a warrant for his arrest issued by the House of Representatives.
The House wants to arrest Roque for failing to appear in a congressional inquiry on POGO activities in the country.
Castro said the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) had secured evidence linking Roque to illegal POGO operations.
She said the evidence involves Roque’s supposed bank documents at Lucky South 99, the documents of his assistant AR Dela Serna, and papers involving a contract of lease with an alleged manager of Lucky South 99.
Castro also said Roque’s application for political asylum in the Netherlands would not affect the human trafficking case and the arrest warrant by the House.
She said the asylum petition is still being processed, and for it to be approved, Roque has to prove a well-founded fear of political persecution.
Roque has been hiding since September 2024 after the House Quad committee, which launched an inquiry on POGO activities, cited him for contempt for failing to appear at its hearings.
— The Summit Express
