DOJ places Harry Roque, 11 others on lookout travel list

FILE: Former Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr. shares his remarks to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on September 2, 2021. ARMAN BAYLON/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Tuesday it has placed a dozen individuals led by former presidential spokesperson Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr. in the government’s lookout bulletin order (LBO).

“We can confirm that an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order has been issued by the Department of Justice to the Bureau of Immigration (BI). May 12 po na pangalan doon (There are 12 names there). Ibig sabihin po ‘yung 12 na individuals na ‘yun ay mamo-monitor ‘yung outbound and inbound travel ho nila (It means those individuals’ outbound and inbound travel will be monitored),” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano told reporters.

“Hindi ito nakaka-restrict sa right o karapatan mag-travel pero patitimbrehan lang po ang Immigration at ang DOJ kung lumabas o pumasok sila sa bansa (This does not restrict their right to travel, but it means the BI and the DOJ are immediately informed if they leave or arrive in the country).”

He said an LBO is issued when an individual undergoing investigation is considered a flight risk, and authorities need to keep tabs on his or her whereabouts.

Clavano said the LBO was issued against Roque and the other respondents after preliminary information showed that another person being investigated for links in Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGO) syndicates, Sandra Li Ong, has managed to slip out of the country.

Aside from Roque and Ong, also in the LBO are Xiang Tan, Jing Gu, Stephanie B. Mascareñas, Michael Bryce B. Mascareñas, Zhang Jie, Duanren Wu, Raymund Calleon G. Co, Randel Calleon G. Co, Dennis L. Cunanan, and Han Gao.

“A precautionary hold departure order will likewise be filed at the Office of the Executive Judge pending preliminary investigation,” the memorandum for BI Commissioner Norman G. Tansingco from Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla stated.

Roque, meanwhile, denied planning to flee the country, saying he would face any charges regarding his alleged links to POGOs.