THE Department of Justice yesterday said it is preparing to tap the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
Last week, a court in Angeles City, Pampanga issued arrest warrants for Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others for qualified human trafficking in connection with their alleged involvement in a scam hub that operated in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator facility in Porac, Pampanga, that was raided by the authorities and where more than a hundred foreigners were rescued.
Qualified human trafficking is a non-bailable offense.
Roque, who is seeking political asylum in the Netherlands, has denied involvement in the alleged irregularities and said the Marcos administration is out to get him for his steadfast defense of the Dutertes.
He resurfaced in the Hague in March after fleeing the country after former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, in a TV interview, said seeking the help of the Interpol is one of the channels to serve the warrant on Roque.
“It’s a possibility. In fact, we’ve already triggered the process to request for a red notice from the Interpol,” Ty said.
“And hopefully, if it’s granted to us, it will come out and we’ll see. We’ll see how it goes. So if upon implementation, if the government of the Netherlands will allow the application of the principle of non-refoulement,” he added.
Roque earlier said he could not be arrested or forced to return to Manila due to his pending asylum bid. He cited the doctrine of non-refoulement which he said is a right to anyone seeking asylum.
