Immigration lookout bulletin issued vs. Harry Roque, others

An immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) has been issued against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and 11 others in connection to the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

According to the order shared by GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong, the ILBO was issued against Roque; Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of the Porac POGO hub; former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, among others.

“Considering the gravity of the possible charges, as well as the wide media coverage and public attention this has gained over the past months, there is a strong possibility that the above mentioned nationals may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of this Department by leaving the country,” the Department of Justice said in the order.

Former Presidential Spox Harry Roque, 11 others placed under immigration lookout bulletin in relation to alleged involvement in POGO @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/ubdFkWsCZm

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) August 6, 2024

“Hence, we deem the issuance of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the subject persons in order to at least monitor the itineraries of their flight, travel, and/or whereabouts,” it added.

'Plain Harassment'

Roque said he considers the ILBO to be “plain harassment.” 

“This political witch hunt is intended to silence me as a critic of this Administration and I expect there will up the ante following my call, posted on Facebook, to keep Malacanang drug-free after the damning revelations of eyewitness Cathy Binag,” Roque said in a statement.

He also said that he has "no reason" to leave the country. 

“There is no reason to leave the Philippines. I will face my accusers and answer all allegations related to offshore gaming,” he added.

Roque has been participating in the Senate investigation into the raided POGO hubs after he was said to have helped the Lucky South 99, the raided firm in Porac, reapply for a license and settle their arrears.

He said that the only evidence against him is that he accompanied Ong for rescheduling of arrears payment and an uncorroborated chart.

Monitoring mechanism

Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano also confirmed to reporters that Roque has been placed in the ILBO.

Clavano, however, stressed that an ILBO is only a “monitoring mechanism.”

“Hindi naman siya ibig sabihin na hindi pwedeng umalis ang taong under investigation. Ang ibig sabihin lang niya, ma… a-alert lang ang Immigration authorities kung lalabas or papasok dito sa bansa,” he said in an ambush interview.

(It doesn't mean that the persons under investigation cannot leave. It only means that Immigration will be alerted if they will leave or enter the country.)

Meanwhile, Clavano denied that the ILBO was issued to harass Roque.

“Well, I really don’t see where that’s coming from dahil 12 naman po ‘yung nakalagay doon sa ILBO and sa tingin naman ho natin, at the heat of it all… it definitely is a point of interest,” he said.

(Well, I really don’t see where that’s coming from because 12 names are included in the ILBO and we think that, at the heat of it, it is definitely a point of interest.)

He said they also received information that Ong has left the country.

“At that time wala pa pong ILBO. That was one of the reasons which prodded us na maglabas na po ng ILBO,” Clavano said.

The order stated that a precautionary hold departure order will also be filed at the Office of the Executive Judge. 

Clavano said this order will prevent the subjects from leaving the country.

GMA News Online also sought comment from the other subjects of the ILBO but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. —VAL/AOL, GMA Integrated News