Palace press officer undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro on Tuesday slammed all claims of” political persecution” against former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who sought asylum in The Netherlands.
At a media conference, Castro said that the evidence against Roque were “overwhelming.”
“Hindi naman ito makakaapekto. Unang una, magpa-file pa lang yata siya ng petition at hindi pa naman ito naga-grant. Tandaan po natin, bago ito ma-grant dapat mapalabas niya po na may well founded fear of political persecution,” Castro said.
“How could there be a political persecution if all the pieces of evidence are overwhelming? Wala po tayong nakikitang political persecution. Harapin na lang niya ang kaso niya po dito. Mas maganda ‘yan para maipakita niya sa taumbayan na wala po talaga siyang kasalanan,” she added.
Castro said that the Palace sees no need to cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to bring Roque back to the Philippines.
“Hindi pa natin nakikita ‘yan sa ngayon, pero siguro maiiba ang sitwasyon kung siya na ay may warrant of arrest na inissue ng korte,” she said.
Roque said on Monday that he plans to seek asylum in The Netherlands as he strongly believes that he should be there to defend the former president.