Remulla says Roque asylum bid denied; Roque disputes claim

Former presidential spokesperson and congressman Harry Roque Jr. answers questions at the House of Representatives Quad Committee hearing on Aug. 23, 2024.

HREP

MANILA, Philippines (First published Sept. 15, 8 p.m.) — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday claimed that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's asylum bid in Austria had been denied, a claim Roque later disputed.

Remulla made the statement during a press conference on Tuesday, September 15, adding that authorities would move against Roque once an Interpol Red Notice is issued.

"By the way, na-deny 'yung asylum ni Harry Roque," Remulla said. "Kapag may Red Notice na, kukunin ko siya."

By the way, Harry Roque's asylum bid was denied... I'll get him once there is a Red Notice.)

Remulla did not disclose further details about the purported denial. Philstar.com has also reached out to the Department of Justice for more information but has yet to receive a response.

Roque, who faces qualified human trafficking charges in connection with the raided Lucky South 99 POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, has been staying in Austria while seeking asylum.

An Angeles City court issued a warrant for his arrest in May 2025 over the non-bailable trafficking charges.

Roque left the Philippines without a recorded departure in Bureau of Immigration records after authorities began looking for him in 2024.

The Department of Justice had earlier issued an immigration lookout bulletin against him and several others in August 2024 in connection with the investigation into the Porac POGO hub.

Aside from the trafficking case, Roque also faces a tax evasion complaint filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue before the DOJ.

In an interview with One News' "Storycon," Roque denied Remulla's claim, calling it "fake news."

Roque said his asylum application had already been submitted for resolution and that he was still awaiting a decision from Austrian authorities.

"The truth of the matter is it's been submitted and we continue to await for the decision of the asylum office," Roque said.