DOJ to work on cancellation of Roque鈥檚 passport
Former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque speaks during a forum at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay in Ermita, Manila on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. 好色先生TV/Ryan Leagogo
MANILA, Philippines —The Department of Justice (DOJ) will move for the cancellation of the passport of
Roque is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by a Pampanga court for qualified human trafficking.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has yet to sign documents on the matter but assured that the DOJ would work on the cancellation of Roque’s passport in order to compel him to return to the country and face the criminal complaints against him.
Asking the court for cancellation of Roque’s passport will be similar to what it did to former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.
Teves is accused of multiple murder for the death of Governor Roel Degamo and several others in 2023.Teves’ passport has been cancelled by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in compliance with the ruling of the Regional Trial Court of Manila, which declared that his right to travel can be impaired since his case involves public safety following his designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terror Council.
On the other hand, Roque is currently on the ground of political persecution being perpetrated by the current administration.
Remulla said Roque’s application for political asylum will have to be resolved first before the arrest warrant can be served against him.
In the event that his bid for asylum is denied and his passport already cancelled, Remulla said the former Palace official is expected to be deported.
“It will end soon, I believe they will not tolerate the commission of crimes that are being charged here. And they can see as well that the justice system is working in this sense that we have given due process to him to answer,” Remulla said.
Aside from the cancellation of Roque’s passport, the DOJ said it is now preparing the necessary documents to request his inclusion in the International Criminal Police Organization’s (Interpol) red notice.
Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
