DOJ says Roque's arrest warrant cannot be served due to his asylum bid | ABS-CBN
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DOJ says Roque's arrest warrant cannot be served due to his asylum bid
The Department of Justice building in Padre Faura, Manila. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
The Department of Justice building in Padre Faura, Manila. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News MANILA – An official from the Department of Justice said on Tuesday, May 20, the arrest warrant against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque may not be immediately served while his application for asylum is ongoing in the Netherlands.
MANILA – An official from the Department of Justice said on Tuesday, May 20, the arrest warrant against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque may not be immediately served while his application for asylum is ongoing in the Netherlands.
DOJ Chief State Counsel and Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit Head Dennis Arvin Chan made the remark in response to a question if the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) will act on the arrest warrant issued against Roque.
DOJ Chief State Counsel and Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit Head Dennis Arvin Chan made the remark in response to a question if the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) will act on the arrest warrant issued against Roque.
Chan said the application process must usually be finished first, similar to the Philippines.
Chan said the application process must usually be finished first, similar to the Philippines.
"Dito sa Philippines, if we are faced with that scenario, kailangan matapos muna 'yung refugee application. So mangunguna 'yun above all other proceedings," he said.
"Dito sa Philippines, if we are faced with that scenario, kailangan matapos muna 'yung refugee application. So mangunguna 'yun above all other proceedings," he said.
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"When we receive information na may warrant of arrest, we just inform the concerned authorities that there is a pending application that we need to resolve with finality first before we can move forward with that warrant of arrest," Chan explained.
"When we receive information na may warrant of arrest, we just inform the concerned authorities that there is a pending application that we need to resolve with finality first before we can move forward with that warrant of arrest," Chan explained.
Last March, Roque said he felt relief in the Netherlands after filing his asylum petition. He also said he cannot be deported to the country until the process, which he said lasts up to a year and a half, is finished.
Last March, Roque said he felt relief in the Netherlands after filing his asylum petition. He also said he cannot be deported to the country until the process, which he said lasts up to a year and a half, is finished.
DOJ earlier said it could seek help from the Interpol in serving the warrant against Roque who remains overseas.
DOJ earlier said it could seek help from the Interpol in serving the warrant against Roque who remains overseas.
"Hindi ko naman masabi na on hold [yung warrant], it can be processed already. Now as to how it will be implemented, that is up for the Netherland authorities how they will treat it," Chan said when asked if the implementation of the arrest warrant will be on hold.
"Hindi ko naman masabi na on hold [yung warrant], it can be processed already. Now as to how it will be implemented, that is up for the Netherland authorities how they will treat it," Chan said when asked if the implementation of the arrest warrant will be on hold.
Chan pointed out that the asylum application process is not something that should be publicly disclosed.
Chan pointed out that the asylum application process is not something that should be publicly disclosed.
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"Ang asylum application is confidential dapat in nature. So kung may lumapit or may aplikante for asylum in a particular country, hindi dapat pinapaalam noong bansang 'yun doon sa other country na 'uy itong citizen ninyo may application for asylum sa amin. Ano comment ninyo?'" he explained.
"Ang asylum application is confidential dapat in nature. So kung may lumapit or may aplikante for asylum in a particular country, hindi dapat pinapaalam noong bansang 'yun doon sa other country na 'uy itong citizen ninyo may application for asylum sa amin. Ano comment ninyo?'" he explained.
"Pag nangyari 'yun, it throws into disarray na the entire process of asylum. Ang concept nga ng refugee application, you are trying to evade or avoid persecution. So hindi mo dapat pinapaalam," Chan said.
"Pag nangyari 'yun, it throws into disarray na the entire process of asylum. Ang concept nga ng refugee application, you are trying to evade or avoid persecution. So hindi mo dapat pinapaalam," Chan said.
When asked if the Netherlands has reached out to their unit, he said "they do not have to" and the determination is up to the country.
When asked if the Netherlands has reached out to their unit, he said "they do not have to" and the determination is up to the country.
"Same here in the Philippines, when we assess any refugee application, it has to fall under the five grounds under the 1951 Convention. Yan ay persecution due to religion, race, gender, political opinion or membership in a particular social group," he said.
"Same here in the Philippines, when we assess any refugee application, it has to fall under the five grounds under the 1951 Convention. Yan ay persecution due to religion, race, gender, political opinion or membership in a particular social group," he said.
Chan said in the Philippines, the process for refugee application, similar to that for asylum, is usually lengthy due to the need to schedule an interview and gather relevant country information from various sources.
Chan said in the Philippines, the process for refugee application, similar to that for asylum, is usually lengthy due to the need to schedule an interview and gather relevant country information from various sources.
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He said the process would last on the average nine to 15 months in the Philippine context.
He said the process would last on the average nine to 15 months in the Philippine context.
Roque earlier said he would use the arrest warrant "to strengthen" his application for asylum.
Roque earlier said he would use the arrest warrant "to strengthen" his application for asylum.
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