Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that a Filipino airport passenger, whom he described as appearing to be military or police personnel on a business class seat, had been taking photos and video of him before he boarded a flight in the Netherlands.

“Meron palang isang mukhang militar na police pala na Pilipino… bago pa ako pumasok ng eroplano ay picture nang picture,” he said in an online interview with Boldyak TV, adding that authorities later confirmed a 10-second clip existed on the individual’s phone but that it was deleted.

Roque questioned why the individual was permitted to continue on the flight, saying, “Ang sama ng loob ko, bakit nila pinalipad yung taong yun?… As an asylum seeker… may banta talaga sa buhay ko.”

Roque also denied reports that he was arrested in the Netherlands, saying he remains free in The Hague. “Wala pong nag-aresto sa akin, ako po ay malaya dito sa The Hague,” he said, addressing viral claims that he had been detained at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

He explained that the incident arose under Europe’s Dublin Rules, which require asylum seekers to process their claims in the country that issued their visa.

“Now, sa kaso ko po kasi, nag-issue ng visa ay Austria. Kaya nagkaroon ng desisyon ng Netherlands na Austria ang dapat magbigay ng proteksyon,” he said.

Roque said Dutch authorities booked him on a flight from Amsterdam to Vienna. While he boarded, airline staff reviewed his medical documents, which included certificates from his doctors declaring him “unfit to fly.” Dutch immigration doctors, however, issued a separate “fit to fly” assessment.

He said he was eventually removed from the flight after being asked by the captain and airport police whether he wished to continue.

“Tinanong ako… Ikaw ba ay talagang gusto mong lumipad? Sabi ko, siyempre hindi…” Roque said. He also shared that Filipino supporters in The Hague remained at the airport while the situation was processed.

In Manila, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said no official confirmation of Roque’s alleged arrest was relayed to the agency.

On another note, the Department of Justice (DOJ) noted that Roque is no longer permitted to travel due to the cancellation of his passport, which removes his ability to legally depart or enter other countries using Philippine travel documents.

Roque attributed the spread of the arrest narrative to political controversies in the Philippines. “Pinipilit nilang ilihis lahat ng issue away dun sa paratang ni Imee… na ang mastermind sa corruption sa flood control projects ay walang iba kundi ang ating Presidente,” he said.

According to Roque, he had posted his boarding pass earlier to counter rumors of deportation before being removed from the flight due to the medical clearance issue.

Roque faces multiple legal controversies, including contempt of Congress, disbarment petitions, and human trafficking charges linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

He has since left the Philippines with a pending asylum application in the Netherlands.