Photo credit: Congress PH

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is firing back after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court ordered the cancellation of his passport — a move he says is far from final.

In a statement released Tuesday, Roque stressed that he will file a motion for reconsideration, saying the court’s reasoning was flawed.

“I disagree with the court’s reasoning that I have ‘not given any acceptable reason why I remain outside of the Philippines,’” Roque said. He insisted he is in the Netherlands to seek asylum — something he calls a legitimate human right, especially for someone he describes as an “outspoken Duterte ally.”

Roque said his asylum application is still ongoing and vowed to continue advocating for “truth, good governance, and a better Philippines.”

But while Roque defends his stay abroad, law enforcement agencies back home are gearing up.

The Philippine National Police said its intelligence and tracker teams are now on standby as the government pursues an Interpol Red Notice against Roque — a step that could trigger coordinated efforts across member countries to locate and arrest him.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said teams are in constant contact with Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Manila.

“The PNP will serve as the primary enforcement arm if the notice is approved,” Nartatez said. He also emphasized that any action will follow legal procedures and respect human rights.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission earlier confirmed that the government requested the Red Notice in connection with charges Roque is facing, including inciting to sedition and human trafficking.

A Red Notice is not an arrest warrant, but it alerts all Interpol member countries to locate and provisionally detain a wanted individual based on an existing national warrant.

For now, Roque remains abroad, fighting the passport cancellation order while the government accelerates efforts to track him down on an international scale.