Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque declared that he could no longer be sent back to the Philippines after applying for asylum in the Netherlands. According to him, this is due to the principle of "no-refoulement," which he claims grants him absolute protection from deportation—even if a warrant of arrest is issued against him.
But the real question is: Is his claim actually true? Or is this just a desperate attempt to evade accountability?
What Is No-Refoulement?
"No-refoulement" is a principle in international law that prohibits a country from forcibly returning an asylum seeker to a place where they may face torture, persecution, or other severe dangers.
However, there is an important caveat: this protection is not automatically granted to anyone who merely files an asylum application. It is only given after thorough scrutiny and official approval of an individual’s asylum status. In short, simply applying does not guarantee absolute protection from deportation.
The Major Flaw in Roque’s Statement
By his own admission, Roque is still in the process of applying for asylum—it has not yet been approved. This means that there is no official declaration from the Dutch government confirming that he qualifies for protection under no-refoulement. Therefore, he cannot use this principle as a defense to claim that he cannot be sent back to the Philippines.
Furthermore, there are two key reasons why his asylum claim could be rejected:
Involvement in Crimes
Under Article 1F of the 1951 Refugee Convention, asylum cannot be granted to individuals involved in serious crimes or activities contrary to the principles of the United Nations. If evidence emerges that Roque was involved in any illegal activities while in government, he may be disqualified from protection under international law.
The Netherlands Has Discretion
Even if he alleges political persecution, the Dutch government has the right to determine whether his asylum application is valid. This status is not granted automatically, and if it is proven that he does not face a real threat to his life or safety, he can be deported back to the Philippines.
The Real Reason Behind Roque’s Attempt to Escape
A crucial question arises: If Roque truly has a strong case for asylum, why is he announcing it on social media instead of quietly following the legal process? Such a statement could be a strategic move to gain public sympathy and preempt any government action to bring him back to the Philippines.
Spreading misinformation is a common tactic used to confuse the public and escape accountability. However, in this case, Roque’s dramatic claims will not deceive either the Dutch legal system or the Philippine authorities.
What Could Happen to Roque?
If it is determined that his asylum application lacks merit, he can be sent back to the Philippines to face any pending charges against him. Even the Netherlands, a country known for its strict refugee protection laws, has rules against individuals abusing the asylum system to evade legal responsibility.
In the end, the law—not his own version of the truth—will decide his fate.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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