Probe On Immigration Eyed For Harry Roque's Undetected Departure

Congressmen want to investigate the Bureau of Immigration after ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque managed to leave the Philippines without detection. 

A Philippine congressional panel wants to investigate the Bureau of Immigration to determine how former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and his wife, Myla Roque, managed to leave the Philippines without detection. 

This recommendation follows Roque's citation for contempt due to his failure to submit pertinent documents during the committee's investigation into illegal drugs, Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), and extrajudicial killings from the previous administration.

“Evading legal orders issued by the Joint Committee legal orders issued by the Joint Committee, Atty. Herminio Harry Roque, Jr. and Myla Roque were reported to have flown to the United Arab Emirates after he was cited in contempt for failure to submit pertinent documents,” read a copy of the report, as quoted by the Inquirer. 

Roque is implicated in a qualified human trafficking case alongside Cassandra Li Ong and others, connected to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Lucky South 99 Corp. Additionally, he faces an arrest order from the House of Representatives for contempt of Congress due to his failure to produce documents explaining a significant increase in his wealth.

Immigration previously said it was considering filing charges against Roque for allegedly leaving the country through illegal means. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado earlier noted that there was no record of Roque's recent departure through formal channels, suggesting he may have been aided by unscrupulous individuals. 

The committee's progress report further recommends that the BI be investigated to identify individuals who may have assisted in Roque's undetected departure.

Roque reportedly submitted his counter-affidavit to the qualified human trafficking case against him from Abu Dhabi. The BI is studying the possibility of filing falsification of public documents charges, among other potential cases, against him. 

READ: Falsification Rap Eyed For Harry Roque After Possible Illegal Exit

Speculation about Roque's whereabouts began when Vice President Sara Duterte hinted at his departure during a media briefing last month. She remarked: 

"Look at Sec. Harry Roque, ayaw umalis non sa bansa kasi yung mga anak niya maiiwanan. Pero look at him, umalis na lang (Look at Roque—he didn’t want to leave the country before because his kids would be left behind. But now, look at him—he left anyway).”

Roque's departure was confirmed when he submitted his counter-affidavit to qualified human trafficking complaints filed against him in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on December 3. The Department of Justice revealed this development, and the BI suggested that Roque may have left the country through illegal means.

Read related article: Quad Comm Lists Issues That Harry Roque Needs to Clarify