MANILA, Philippines– Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque applied for asylum in the Netherlands on March 28 at the Immigratie en Naturalisatie Dienst (IND) center in Ter Apel.
Roque expressed emotional relief after the submission, describing the moment as overwhelming.
The asylum application process in the Netherlands involves identification and registration before being placed in a reception center.
The IND generally has six months to decide on asylum applications, with potential extensions.
Roque’s application follows investigations by the Department of Justice in the Philippines despite no formal criminal charges.
In response to his application, an online petition opposing his asylum request in the Netherlands amassed over 21,000 signatures.
The petition argued against the approval of his application, reflecting mounting opposition to Roque’s asylum bid.
