PNP-CIDG admits having hard time locating Harry Roque

The Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has acknowledged that it is having difficulty locating former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who was issued with contempt and detention orders by the House Quad Committee looking into allegedly illegal activities involving Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). 

According to Chino Gaston’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the police said that Roque seems to be able to evade capture every time law enforcers are about to arrest him. 

“‘Pag nalaman na namin, usually lumilipad na. So parang naka-counter din kasi kami,” said PNP-CIDG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Imelda Reyes. 

(By the time we find out where he could be, usually he will have left. So we are being countered.)

But the PNP-CIDG added they have a strong lead on where they might find Roque next. 

“We cannot divulge the exact location since kami din po ay inaabangan niya kung i-pinpoint namin kung nasaan siya. There’s a chance for him to transfer from this place to another place,” said Reyes. 

(We cannot divulge the exact location since he is also looking out on how we can find him. There’s a chance for him to transfer from this place to another place.) 

The Bureau of Immigration said that Roque does not have a hold departure order, but he is on the immigration watchlist. 

“If lookout bulletin, we have to coordinate to the agency na nag-issue ng asking for lookout para bigyan po natin ng notice kung ano yung estado if paalisin o hindi,” said BI deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabulac. 

(If there’s a lookout bulletin, we have to coordinate with the agency who was asking for it so we can issue a notice on the status, whether to allow him to go or not.) 

Meanwhile, newly installed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that it is already up to Roque how he will respond to the contempt and detention orders.

“He's not broken any laws but he is cited for contempt by the Senate [sic]. So in that case he cannot be considered a fugitive but rather as a person of interest that has to show up,” he said. “I have no message for him, I think it's enough that he knows what he's up against.” 

Although Roque out of the authorities' grasp, he is still active on his social media, where he releases statements and videos. 

GMA Integrated News has reached out to Roque for comment. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News