Manila, April 30 -- Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday dared former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to honor his promise to face the charges of human trafficking filed against him and 50 others.

In an interview with reporters, Remulla reiterated the need for Roque to surrender himself to Philippine authorities to answer the charges.

"Of course (he needs to go home to answer it). If he is not here then he is not going to face the charges. It's double talk," he said.

On Roque's claim that the cases will only strengthen his plea for asylum in the Netherlands, Remulla said these were filed by prosecutors based on merits and nothing else.

"I will not argue against anybody here. I'm just saying that prosecutors have ...