Former presidential spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque is “useless” at The Hague and should just return to the Philippines to attend to human trafficking investigations against him.
Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas called on Roque to stop arrogating himself into the legal defense team of former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Mr. Roque should stop pretending to be a human rights lawyer and face the contempt order issued against him by the Congressional Quad Committee. His sudden appearance in The Hague while evading accountability at home only demonstrates his utter disregard for Philippine legal processes,” Rep. Brosas said.
“Wala kang ambag diyan, uwi ka na,” Brosas told Roque. (You are useless there. Get home.)
The lawmaker said that Roque’s presence in The Hague raises serious questions about his true intentions, especially after Vice President Sara Duterte herself confirmed that he is not part of the former president’s legal team before the ICC.
Earlier, Roque announced his intention to seek asylum in The Netherlands, citing political persecution after being issued warrants of arrest for his alleged human trafficking activities connected to Chinese offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
Dutch authorities said they will be “very strict” in vetting asylum applicants to make sure they are genuinely persecuted in their home countries.
Brosas however said Roque is just running away from investigations into his alleged illegal activities.
“This is a desperate attempt to divert public attention from the serious allegations against him regarding his involvement with Lucky South 99 and his unexplained wealth,” Brosas noted.
Brosas pointed out that Roque, who was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the Quadcomm last September 13, should prioritize clearing his name through proper legal channels.
“Roque should stop trying to be relevant and come home, face the Congressional inquiry, and submit the required documents explaining his wealth. If he is clean, why is he running away?” Brosas asked.
At a press briefing in Manila on Wednesday, justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also dismissed Roque’s claims of persecution, saying the investigations of Roque are focused on human trafficking allegations.
Remulla also said Roque is irrelevant and a “non-player” in the ongoing drama connected to Duterte’s arrest by the ICC through local and international police.
Malacanang spokesperson Clair Castro also called on Roque to prioritize sorting out his legal troubles in the Philippines and stop trying to be part of Duterte’s legal defense team in Europe.
Castro called on Duterte supporters to also demand that Roque return home to the Philippines and submit himself to ongoing congressional investigations.
Roque has admitted to fleeing to the United Arab Emirates and Japan in his bid to elude arrest.
He was also reported to have tried going to the United States of America but was not allowed to board his scheduled flight to North America last month. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
