MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday denied reports that his asylum application was rejected by the Netherlands, accusing the Department of Justice (DOJ) of spreading misinformation.

“I am not surprised that the Marcos Jr. administration, through the Department of Justice, has become the purveyor of fake news,” Roque said in a statement Wednesday.

This came after DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed to the media that Roque’s alleged asylum request had been denied by Dutch authorities.

Roque denied filing for asylum and criticized Remulla’s earlier claims that he held multiple passports. “Strike two na ang DOJ Secretary. Una, sinabi niya mayroon daw akong multiple passports. Ngayon, denied asylum. Ano ito? Nakalap ang impormasyon sa usapang Maritess,” he said.

He clarified that his recent trip to Germany was a pre-scheduled event organized by the Filipino community there, where he administered the oath-taking of new members of Hakbang ng Maisug Germany.

Roque also said he has since returned to The Hague in the Netherlands and dismissed any need for intelligence funds to monitor his location, saying, “Just check my Facebook account. It is all there.”