PNP to focus manhunt for Harry Roque in Mindanao

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday that they will now focus its search for Harry Roque in Mindanao after it received a report that the former presidential spokesperson is hiding there.

The PNP said it earlier conducted manhunt operations for Roque in Central Luzon and in Calabarzon regions, but he was nowhere to be found.

“That was September, first week of September, he was monitored somewhere in Mindanao…Even the Bureau of Immigration said na nandito lamang po siya sa Pilipinas,” said PNP spokesperson P/Brigadier General Jean Fajardo in a press briefing.

(He was monitored somewhere in Mindanao during the first week of September…Even the Bureau of Immigration said that he remains in the country.)

“The manhunt is not only limited sa Davao City, lahat po ng areas ‘yan. Like I said we went, we searched sa Region 3, Calabarzon. Right now we’re focusing sa Mindanao po.”

(The manhunt is not only limited to Davao City, we will also look at other areas. Like I said earlier, we went and searched in Region 3 and in Calabarzon. But right now, we’re focusing on Mindanao.)

Roque is the subject of contempt and detention orders by the House of Representatives Quad Committee due to his alleged connection with illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) in the country.

The PNP said Roque could be in Mindanao due to the people he knows in the Southern Philippines.

“Si Atty. Harry Roque, I’m pretty sure mayroon siyang mga kaibigan, mga kakilala na possibly na mas komportable siyang humingi ng tulong,” said Fajardo.

(I’m pretty sure Atty. Harry Roque has friends or people that he might know there whom he is comfortable with to ask for help.)

The police warned those who are hiding and helping Roque could also face charges.

“We want to remind for those people na nagkakanlong po kay Atty. Roque na posible pong maharap kayo sa kaso for obstruction of justice for intentionally harboring a person being searched or being hunted by the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies po,” said Fajardo.

(We want to remind those who are taking Atty. Roque under their refuge that you could be facing charges for obstruction of justice for intentionally harboring a person being searched or being hunted by the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies.)

The outspoken lawyer has so far eluded authorities' grasp and is still active on social media, where he releases statements and videos. —RF, GMA Integrated News