Roque clarifies: Protesters were stopped from entering New York reception

By Prince Golez

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque on Sunday clarified that the Filipino militants who recently protested his nomination to the International Law Commission (ILC) were not able to enter the private reception he was hosting for representatives of several foreign missions in New York.

“The extremist groups were not able to enter. Hindi sila nakapasok sa 3/f,” Roque told POLITIKO.

The secretary claimed that the protesters, who occupied two tables on the ground floor of the restaurant, ordered food and beverage but did not pay for them.

“Then they asked to use the private toilet upstairs, not the one on the g/f. They were asked to leave. That’s when they tried to charge upstairs but officers were able to stop them… NYPD (New York City Police Department) was there and stayed throughout to ensure the safety of everyone,” he furthered.

In a statement Saturday, Roque slammed the protest staged by New York-based Filipino militants at an upscale restaurant to object to his election to the ILC.

“We deplore the effort of militant groups to deliberately cause harm to innocent people in their attempt to disrupt a private reception we were tendering for representatives of several foreign missions in New York,” the Palace official said.

“The militant groups were not content to peacefully rally outside the restaurant, they charged upstairs, in the process injuring two elderly waiters, and causing damage to property,” he added.

Roque is currently in the United States to attend the annual United Nations International Law Week.

The post Roque clarifies: Protesters were stopped from entering New York reception first appeared on .

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)