MANILA, Nov. 24 -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday disputed former palace spokesperson Harry Roque's claim that the charges against him are politically motivated.

Speaking to reporters, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said Roque's reliance on the "non-refoulement principle is misplaced."

"The principle of non-refoulement assumes that you are being persecuted politically here in the Philippines or the country of origin. It begs the question: may political persecution po ba na nangyayari (is there political persecution here)? No, because you (Roque) are being charged here for crimes that you allegedly committed and it is incumbent upon you to answer these charges," Martinez said.

"In fact, its antithetical na sinasabi nya persec...