In a dramatic turn of events that has captured the attention of the Filipino public, former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has vehemently denied reports that he was arrested at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Instead, he has come forward with a startling narrative involving international asylum laws, medical emergencies, and a mysterious “military-looking” Filipino passenger who he claims was sent to track his movements in Europe. This incident has added a new layer of intrigue to Roque’s ongoing saga as he seeks asylum abroad, claiming political persecution back home.

The “Arrest” That Wasn’t

Earlier reports from various media outlets suggested that Roque had been detained by Dutch authorities, possibly in connection with an Interpol Red Notice or issues with his travel documents. However, Roque quickly took to social media to debunk these claims, posting a photo of himself dining at a restaurant in The Hague. “Contrary to fake news, no one arrested me. I am free here,” he stated, appearing calm despite the swirling rumors.

Roque explained that his presence at the airport was actually part of a standard procedure under the European Union’s “Dublin Regulation.” This rule dictates that asylum seekers must have their applications processed in the EU country that issued their visa. Since Roque’s visa was issued by Austria, Dutch authorities were facilitating his transfer to Vienna. He emphasized that he was complying voluntarily with this process, fully intending to board the flight until unforeseen circumstances arose.

The Mysterious Passenger

The most explosive part of Roque’s account centers on what happened after he boarded the plane. According to the former spokesperson, he was alerted to the presence of a suspicious individual on the same flight—a Filipino man whom he described as having a “military appearance” and was seated in business class. Roque claims this individual had been surreptitiously taking photos and videos of him from the moment he arrived at the airport, even capturing footage as he walked through the jet bridge.

“Dutch police actually accosted that Filipino for security reasons,” Roque revealed. He stated that authorities checked the man’s phone and confirmed the existence of unauthorized recordings, which they subsequently ordered to be deleted. For Roque, this was not a random encounter but proof of a coordinated effort by the Philippine government to monitor his whereabouts and potentially harm him. “It really proves that our government placed someone to track where I am,” he asserted, expressing frustration that the man was allowed to remain on the flight while he was disembarked.

Medical Complications and Safety Concerns

Adding to the complexity of the situation was Roque’s health. He disclosed that he had recently undergone major surgery on November 30th, followed by a minor procedure just a day before his scheduled flight. His doctors had issued certificates declaring him “unfit to fly.” Although immigration doctors initially cleared him, the commercial airline’s captain, upon seeing his medical passport and the conflicting certificates, raised concerns.

Roque admitted that when pressed by the captain if he truly wanted to fly given his condition and the security threat, he said no. This led to his disembarkation. “I was offloaded because, in the end, I chose to believe my own doctors,” he said. He also speculated that the Dutch police might have realized they could not guarantee his safety on the flight due to the presence of the alleged tracker.

The Asylum Battle Continues

Now back in The Hague, Roque remains in a state of limbo. He interprets the offer of a “secure place of residence” or safe house from Dutch authorities as further validation of the threat against him. He remains defiant against the “Bangag government” (a derogatory term used by critics of the current administration), insisting that he cannot be deported or arrested solely on the basis of a politically motivated warrant while his asylum case is pending.

Roque also addressed the status of his passport, which the Philippine government has reportedly cancelled. He argued that since the cancellation order is not yet final and executory due to a pending motion for reconsideration, his travel document should technically still be valid. He claims to have successfully used it during his recent airport interactions, further challenging the narrative of his legal standing.

As the dust settles on this airport incident, the questions surrounding Harry Roque’s future only multiply. Is he truly a victim of political persecution being hunted across borders, or is this another chapter in a complex legal strategy to evade accountability in the Philippines? One thing is certain: the drama is far from over, and the eyes of the nation remain fixed on The Hague.