The application for asylum of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was denied by the Netherlands and he is now seeking refuge in Germany, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Roque however said that Remulla was misinformed and that he is back in the Netherlands.
“What I know is that he (Roque) was denied asylum by the Netherlands, so it’s up to Germany now if it will grant it, just in case,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters in Filipino.
Roque said his visit to Germany was pre-planned, adding that he was back to the Netherlands.
Remulla maintained the DOJ’s position that it would wait for further developments on Roque’s asylum bid before moving on with the extradition process and declaring him a fugitive from justice.
The DOJ chief noted however, that an extradition case might no longer be needed when the court decided to cancel Roque’s passport, which would clear the path for the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to arrest him.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “DOJ says Roque now in Germany after Dutch gov’t denies asylum bid.”
