The Philippine National Police (PNP) may have a lead on the present location of ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is under investigation by the House of Representatives for his ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and the sudden increase in his wealth.
“Without giving specifics, we received some information [on] the possible whereabouts of Atty. Harry Roque but we really cannot say where because it might hamper our efforts to [to arrest him],” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo told reporters in a mixture of Filipino and English.
The PNP has activated “tracker teams” especially to apprehend the Duterte stalwart.
Meanwhile, youth members of the progressive political group Akbayan on Friday plastered “wanted” posters of Roque in Quezon City to help authorities find and arrest him.
Khylla Meneses, Akbayan Youth secretary general, urged Roque to surrender to authorities and face the investigation into his POGO links.
Hundreds of printed materials bearing the image of a disheveled Roque and describing him as a ‘POGO lawyer’ were posted strategically along Kalayaan Avenue and other public places in the city.
The House Quad Committee branded Roque a “fugitive” after he went into hiding, prompting the panel to issue an order for his arrest.
Meneses called on citizens to be on the lookout for the former party-list solon and staunch defender of the Duterte administration.
“His role and ties with the POGO industry are too obvious and blatant. He will no longer be able to go through the sneaking and lying the way he used to do for (former President Rodrigo) Duterte,” the Akbayan officer said.
Roque faces scrutiny from the Quad Comm for his failure to submit documents that were requested of him, including his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth, financial documents of his family corporation Biancham, its subsidiary PH2, and a deed of sale of the 1.8-hectare property in Parañaque City under his name.
However, Roque said in a 14-minute video message that he cannot be considered a fugitive because he has not violated any law, instead, he is a victim of political persecution.
“What they (Congressmen) are doing is wrong…. They kept screaming [at him], and if I refuse to answer… they cite me for contempt right away. They are power-tripping,” he insisted.
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