WITH his six month temporary residency permit closing to an end, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is now toying with the idea of surrendering to authorities and filing a petition for bail for a crime classified as “heinous” under existing Philippine laws.
Roque, who has been in The Netherlands soon after former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and flown to The Hague in March, is facing a string of criminal charges — including qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable case under the Revised Penal Code.
In an interview with veteran journalist Carlos Conde, Roque clarified that surrendering to the Philippine authorities will depend on the outcome of his request for political asylum in The Netherlands.
Roque however expressed optimism that The Netherlands would grant his wish amid what he aptly described as “political persecution” by the Marcos administration.
For the time being, the former palace mouthpiece said that he would seek all legal remedies — remotely though.
“Well, of course, I continue to avail of judicial reliefs. They filed a nonbailable case against me, and all the reliefs that I’m availing of do not require my physical attendance in the Philippines,” Roque quipped.