No political persecution of critics, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang denied that critics of the Duterte administration are experiencing political persecution after a Filipino couple critical of the President was granted asylum in the United States. 

Last week, a San Francisco immigration judge issued decisions granting asylum to Rene Flores and his wife Joy, who had claimed that they might experience political persecution if they are ordered to return to the Philippines. 

Ted Laguatan, the couple’s lawyer, said the rulings affirmed that many American officials are already aware of what he described as the “extensive human rights violations” of President Duterte.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo expressed doubts about the Flores couple’s claim that they are political activists. He cited news reports stating that the couple went to the US in 2000 to visit relatives and to do sightseeing. 

The couple, Panelo said, may have been advised by a lawyer to do things that would legalize their stay in the US. 

“Their attendance at political rallies and issuance of anti-Duterte statements while in the US are more of a stratagem of their lawyer for them to stay permanently in the US and to shield them from being deported. Apparently, they have opted for an easy way out at the expense of the Duterte Administration,” he said.

The couple, who flew to the US in 2000 initially to visit relatives, participated in protests that condemned Duterte’s alleged human rights violations and “mass murder policies.” Upon the suggestion of relatives, they decided to seek greener pastures therein during the presidency of Joseph Estrada. 

The ruling spares the Flores couple from deportation proceedings and allows them to seek lawful permanent resident status. Panelo also dismissed as “propaganda” the allegations that people critical of President Duterte are being persecuted.  – With Christina Mendez