By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Now that an arrest warrant has been issued for Rodrigo Duterte’s former spokesperson, Harry Roque, several questions have arisen regarding how he managed to slip out of the country.
First, how was Roque able to leave the Philippines, and why did the Bureau of Immigration allow him to do so when the House of Representatives had cited him in contempt for failing to attend its hearings and had sought his detention? Roque is also facing a trafficking complaint before the DOJ related to his involvement in the illegal operations of POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator).
A THEPHILBIZNEWS source noted that Roque’s escape is a clear sign of his guilt, likening him to a rat cornered by a cat.
Currently in The Hague, supposedly to support former President Duterte’s trial at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, Roque seems to be attempting to steal the spotlight by joining Duterte’s legal team.
While the Bureau of Immigration’s role remains unclear, the diplomatic community is curious about who issued Roque’s Schengen visa.
Under Schengen’s strict visa regulations, as outlined in the Schengen Information System (SIS), individuals with criminal backgrounds or under prosecution should be denied entry.
It’s moot to discuss the merits of Roque’s “fuga mundi” (Latin term meaning “escape from the world,” often referring to someone attempting to flee or evade legal, moral, or societal obligations), as the BI has admitted they have no record of his departure. But with Roque now seeking political asylum in The Netherlands, three questions remain:
- Who issued his Schengen visa in the Philippines?
- Will he be granted political asylum, given the serious cases filed against him by the DOJ?
- Will EU member-states in the Philippines take steps to prevent Roque from being granted asylum?
