PNP: Possible that Harry Roque already left Philippines

Acknowledging that his departure was indeed a "possibility," the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it was confirming with relevant government agencies if former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has already left the Philippines amid an order for his arrest from the House of Representatives.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said they will confirm with the Bureau of Immigrations (BI) and other sources if Roque already exited the country.

"We are still trying to confirm that sa BI dahil kung totoong nakalabas po siya. It is only the BI who could confirm na lumabas po siya kung dumaan po siya sa ating mga Customs," Fajardo said.

(We are still trying to confirm that with the BI because if he really left. It is only the BI who could confirm that he got out if he went through our Customs authorities.)

"Pero kung nag-backdoor po siya, we will try to confirm po 'yan sa other sources kung totoong nakalabas po siya. But it is a possibility po na nakalabas po siya considering na alam naman po niya na hanggang ngayon ay hinahanap pa rin po siya ng Sergeant-at-Arms ng Kongreso po," she added.

(But if he went through the backdoor, we will try to confirm that with other sources if he really left. But it is a possibility that he got out considering that he knows that the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives is still looking for him.)

On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it has received unconfirmed information that Roque has exited the country.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago said this following the late-night press conference of Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday where she hinted that Roque has left the Philippines.

"Look at Secretary Harry Roque, ayaw umalis nu'n sa bansa kasi 'yung mga anak niya maiiwanan. Pero look at him, umalis na lang," Duterte said.

(Look at Secretary Harry Roque, he doesn't want to leave the country because his children will be left behind. But look at him, he just left.)

Roque was cited in contempt and ordered detained by the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) on Sept. 13 after he refused to submit documents that would supposedly explain his increased wealth.

The QuadComm made the move after Roque initially agreed to submit documents that would explain the increase of his assets under his family's Biancham Holdings and Trading from P125,000 in 2014, P3.125 million in 2015 and P67.7 million in 2018. He later asserted that the documents were "not germane to the inquiry in aid of legislation," and invoked his right to privacy.

Roque has accused Congress of "power tripping" following the contempt and arrest orders issued against him due to his alleged link to illegal operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).

The longtime ally of the Duterte family has maintained that he is not a fugitive. — VDV, GMA Integrated News