Is the Philippine Ambassador to Austria deliberately aiding and shielding fugitive Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., a migrant group asks.
Migrante-Austria accused Ambassador Ma. Theresa “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas of “willful inaction, political shielding, and possible obstruction of justice” in relation to Roque who faces criminal charges in the Philippines.
Migrante said Arroyo-Bernas, daughter of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a political ally of the Dutertes, has conspicuously failed to demonstrate any concrete effort to assist Philippine law enforcement and judicial authorities in securing Roque’s arrest, restricting his movement, or facilitating his return to the Philippines
“Arroyo is both legally and morally obligated to protect the interests of the Philippine state. Her persistent silence and inaction constitute a serious dereliction of duty and strongly suggest that she is prioritizing familial and factional loyalties over her sworn obligations as a public official,” the group said in a statement.
Migrante pointed out that despite a Court order canceling Roque’s Philippine passport, he has been allowed to move freely within—and apparently beyond—the ambassador’s jurisdictions that also include Slovakia, Croatia, and the Slovak Republic.
The group recalled that Roque appeared as a “guest of honor” at the Kapunongan sa mga Bisaya sa Austria (KBA) Christmas party in Vienna.
“He has since been reported in Slovakia, openly associating with diehard Duterte supporters, behaving not as a wanted criminal but as a protected political asset,” Migrante revealed.
On November 24, 2025, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 157, ordered the cancellation of Roque’s passport in connection with charges of qualified human trafficking — a heinous and non-bailable crime under Philippine laws.
The Philippine Department of Justice has clarified that a person with a canceled passport is considered an undocumented alien whose movement must be strictly restricted.
As an asylum applicant in Austria, Roque should not be crossing international borders at all while his application remains pending,” Migrante said.
It asked if Arroyo-Bernas is enabling Roque’s continued freedom of movement in Europe.
“Ambassador Arroyo’s failure to account for Roque’s unrestricted travel has given rise to a reasonable and growing public belief that she is actively or tacitly shielding him from accountability,” it said.
Migrante said the situation does not serve the Philippine government and serves the Duterte political network that is regarded as a destabilizing force against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Ambassador Arroyo-Bernal’s principal.
Meanwhile, Malacañang press officer Claire Castro on Monday warned Arroyo-Bernas against helping Roque, adding that it would be improper for a Philippine ambassador to assist a fugitive.
Castro said: “Kung ang pagtulong ay para makabalik ng Pilipinas, safe, healthy, walang issue doon pero kung tutulungan mo siya ay makaalpas sa batas sa Pilipinas, hindi maganda bilang Ambassador ng Austria kung saan napipintong pumunta na si Harry Roque.”
“Paalala ito sa kanya (Arroyo-Bernas) na lahat tayo ay dapat sumusunod sa batas. Hindi porke’t kaibigan mo, sabi nga ng Pangulo, ‘walang kaibigan, walang kaalyado, walang kamag-anak, walang sisinuhin. Kung sangkot, dapat managot,’” Castro added.
Migrante also pointed out that Roque is not a political refugee but a compromised political fixer who accumulated wealth and influence through illicit means made possible by his proximity to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
As Duterte’s presidential spokesperson, Roque functioned as a chief propagandist, defending Duterte’s extrajudicial killings and authoritarian abuses, the group said.
Duterte himself now faces charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands where Roque is also based since he fled the Philippines.
“Given that Roque is facing non-bailable criminal charges, any act of aiding, abetting, enabling, or tolerating his evasion of justice constitutes a serious offense of obstruction of justice. Those who facilitate or shield him must be held legally accountable—even if they did not personally commit the underlying crimes,” Migrante said.
“To shield Roque is to undermine Philippine justice, embarrass the Philippine foreign service, and betray the Filipino people. This is no longer a question of diplomacy. It is a question of accountability, complicity, and abuse,” it added.
The Philippine Embassy in Vienna has yet to respond to Kodao’s request for comments. # (Raymund B.Villanueva)
