Interpol red notice, expulsion eyed vs Roque

MANILA, Philippines — While Harry Roque’s application for asylum in the Netherlands remains pending, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will request the International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol to issue a red notice against the former presidential spokesman.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News yesterday, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty said the government would ask the Interpol to arrest Roque.

“He is technically a fugitive because there is a warrant for his arrest,” Ty said.

Another option being eyed, Ty said, is to request the Netherlands to expel Roque, as the Philippines did with Indonesia in the case of Alice Guo.

Mico Clavano, spokesman for the DOJ, said the department is preparing the documents needed for a request for an Interpol red notice.

Clavano said the DOJ is also exploring other options to compel Roque to return to the Philippines.

A court in Angeles City, Pampanga has issued a warrant for Roque’s arrest and several others for qualified human trafficking over their alleged involvement in the criminal activities of Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Porac, which has been shut down by the government.

The Interpol may not be able to immediately arrest Roque, chief state counsel Dennis Chan, who heads the DOJ’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, said.

“The asylum application has to be decided first. This will come first above all other proceedings,” he said.

Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands amid what he described as political persecution by the Marcos administration.