Jonvic Remulla admits error on Roque asylum status, says bid remains undecided

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Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla acknowledged that he was wrong in previously saying former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s asylum application had been denied.

Remulla clarified that Roque’s asylum bid remains pending, with no decision yet from the authorities handling his application. He said the normal processing period is about six months, but Roque’s application has now been pending for nine months.

“I was wrong. Ang status niya is in limbo kasi ang normal status niyan (asylum) is six months; iyong application, it’s been nine months,” Remulla said. “Normally, six months malalaman niyo kung denied or accepted. In his case, it’s neither denied nor accepted."

“There is no decision. So he is neither accepted nor denied. In purgatory siya eh. In terms of asylum application, nasa purgatory siya,” he added.

Remulla said the DILG is studying whether Roque will have immunity from the red notice if he is granted asylum, but stressed that "justice has to be served."

“We are hoping that the Netherlands will accept our petition to bring him home," he added.

In a separate Facebook post, Roque said, "Nobody is perfect. Salamat sa pag-amin ng pagkakamali."

Last week, Remulla announced that the asylum request of Roque has been denied.

“By the way, tapos na 'yung asylum, na-deny 'yung asylum ni Harry Roque. Tapos na 'yung five months. Kung may red notice na, kukunin ko siya,” Remulla said in a press briefing.

(By the way, his asylum is done, Harry Roque’s asylum was denied. His five months are done. If there is a red notice, I will get him.)

During the briefing, Remulla did not specify which country denied Roque’s asylum bid. Asked for details, the DILG chief said he will "confirm first." —LDF, GMA News