The Marcos administration is not relenting in its efforts to bring former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co and former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque back to the country despite their respective asylum applications in France and Austria.
In a press conference, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the government has been taking “calculated and calibrated actions” and repeatedly raising the Philippines’ position with its European counterparts that countries should not become havens for fugitives seeking to evade accountability.
Co is facing a plunder case in connection with the alleged flood control scandal, while Roque is facing trafficking charges arising from Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) operations.
Co is currently in France, where he is applying for asylum, while Roque has filed his application in Austria, according to Vida.
“Yes, our plan is calculated and calibrated actions,” Vida said when asked if the Department of Justice was planning another trip to France.
The justice secretary recalled his trip to Europe in May (April) after which, the Philippines made a series of representations before its counterparts in European countries.
“At inulit-ulit natin ang posisyon ng Pilipinas na sana ang ibang bansa hindi maging haven ng fugitives,” Vida said.
He said asylum systems should not be abused by individuals seeking to avoid accountability in their home countries.
“Hindi dapat maabuso ang sistema ng mga nag-apply ng asylum para lang mataguan ang accountability sa ating sistema,” he said.
Vida also said the Philippines has been invoking the United Nations Convention against Corruption in its efforts by noting that the treaty has been universally accepted.
Asked if there had been progress since his May trip toward bringing Co back to the Philippines, Vida replied, “Madami po.”
He said documentary requirements that had posed hurdles to the government’s efforts had already been addressed, not only in Co’s case but also in Roque’s.
“Yung mga balakid, kakulangan sa documents lahat ito napunuan na natin hindi lamang po kay Zaldy Co pati na din kay Harry Roque,” Vida said.
He stressed that the government respects the asylum process being undertaken by both men.
“At ang ating panalangin, sa lalung madaling panahon, ay matimbang na nila ang application for asylum at makita na nila na walang dahilan ito para sila ay mapabalik na sa Pilipinas at makaharap na nila ang kaso na dapat nila kaharapin,” he said.
Vida said Roque filed his asylum application in Austria and that the application remains under evaluation by Austrian authorities.
“Based on available information, the application was filed in Austria,” he said.
He explained that under the applicable asylum rules, an applicant generally has to remain in the country where the application was filed.
“Kung saan bansa ka nag-apply, dapat hindi ka aalis sa bansa na ’yon,” Vida said.
Vida clarified that the Philippine government has no information that Roque’s asylum application has been granted.
“Ang malinaw po ay wala po tayong information na ito ay na-grant. At ito ay nakasalang pa para sa evaluation ng Austrian authorities,” he said.
Asked why the Philippine government wants Roque returned, Vida pointed to the trafficking charges he is facing.
“Harry Roque is facing those charges of trafficking,” Vida said.#