Serving Roque arrest warrant via Interpol possible - DOJ

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government will exhaust diplomatic channels and seek help from global groups like the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to serve the arrest warrant against ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the Department of Justice said on Friday, May 16.

In an interview with reporters, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said the DOJ may also write to the government of the Netherlands where Roque is seeking asylum.

A Pampanga court has released arrest warrants for Roque, offshore gaming hub official Cassandra Li Ong, and others over qualified trafficking.

“Puwede po na direkta makipag-usap sa gobyerno kung saan ang accused. Puwede rin po tayo dumaan sa iba’t ibang international organization kasama na din po diyan ang Interpol,” Clavano said.

“Ipapaliwanag natin diyan na ito ay isa halimbawa ng prosecution at hindi persecution…Ang panel of prosecutors ay nag-analyze sa ebidensya na sinumite ng law enforcement. Nakita nila na umabot sa threshold of evidence para mag-file ng case,” he added.

[Translation: It is possible to directly communicate with the government where the accused is. We can also go through various international organizations, including Interpol…We will explain that this is an example of prosecution, not persecution…The panel of prosecutors analyzed the evidence submitted by law enforcement. They determined that the evidence met the threshold to file a case.]

Clavano said the warrant can serve as a channel for Roque to defend himself based on evidence.

Roque said the arrest warrant is another form of political persecution for supporting the Duterte family.

In a press briefing on Friday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said it is up to the DOJ whether it will seek Interpol assistance.

The Palace, however, rejected claims that Roque is a victim of political persecution.

“Iyan po naman talaga ang kaniyang magiging naratibo, kaniyang depensa pero hindi po niya sinasagot nang mabuti kung nasaan nga ba iyong mga dokumentong kaniyang ipinangako sa House of Representatives at that time na nagkaroon po hearing sa QuadCom,” Castro said.

[Translation: That will indeed be his narrative, his defense, but he has not properly answered where the documents he promised the House of Representatives are at the time when the hearing was held by the QuadCom.]

Meanwhile, the DOJ said the court can also impose a hold departure order against Ong.

Her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier said he has no knowledge of his client’s whereabouts.