Roque denies Netherlands blocked asylum bid

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque has refuted claims of the justice secretary that he was denied asylum by the Netherlands.

- By DAPHNE GALVEZ and BELLA CARIASO

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said the government received information that Netherlands' rejection prompted Roque to turn to the government of Germany to seek asylum.

"What I know is that he was denied asylum by the Netherlands so it's now up to Germany to grant it, if ever," he told reporters yesterday.

In a statement, Roque dubbed Remulla's update about his asylum application as "fake news."

He said he was back in the Netherlands after attending a gathering of Filipino migrant workers in Germany.

"Strike two for the DOJ secretary. First, he said I have multiple passports. Now, denied asylum. What's this? He got information from the grapevine," he said.

Roque said his trip to Germany was a "pre-planned activity" and not related to his asylum bid.

Remulla said the Philippine government may seek Roque's extradition from the government of Germany, but this may no longer be needed as the former spokesman's passport is "about to be canceled."