Signature drive on vs Roque's asylum bid

An online petition seeking to block the asylum bid of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has already gathered over 11,000 signatures.

- JANVIC MATEO

The petition, initiated by Filipino-Dutch author Joel Vega, urges the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Netherlands to deny Roque's asylum bid.

"Roque is not only unqualified for asylum in a great free country like the Netherlands. He also does not meet the formal requirements for asylum," the petition read.

It alleged that Roque was "misusing the Dutch system" to evade ongoing investigations against him in the Philippines.

Roque, who is facing an arrest warrant for failing to appear before the House quad committee, earlier said he will apply for asylum as he is a victim of "political persecution." The petitioners disputed Roque's claim.

"The irony of his situation appears to be lost on Roque.