Senator wants persons who aided Roque flee PH identified

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros. (Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other law enforcement agencies to identify who assisted former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in fleeing the country undetected.

The senator made the call after the Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed on Tuesday that Roque had his counter-affidavit for a qualified trafficking case notarized in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In a subsequent press conference, Roque said he went to Abu Dhabi just for the purpose of notarizing his counter-affidavit before the Philippine Consulate, but added that he is no longer in the UAE.

In a statement, Hontiveros said Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) actors may have been involved in Roque’s flight, given Dubai’s status as a hub for such operations.

In a Senate hearing in July, Hontiveros and Roque clashed when the she brought up Roque’s alleged ties to the raided POGO Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

Roque is implicated in a human trafficking case involving persons allegedly running Lucky South 99.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros criticized the BI for its lack of answers regarding previous escapes of fugitives.

“The BI still has a lot of explaining to do. Kahit ang pagtakas ni Guo Hua Ping papuntang Indonesia, wala pa rin silang sagot kung paano nangyari (Even on Guo Hua Ping’s escape to Indonesia, they still have no answer as to how it happened),” she said.

The senator expressed frustration over the seemingly easy passage for fugitives while ordinary Filipinos face arduous processes.

“Kapag mga ordinaryong Pilipino na lumalabas ng bansa, pahirapahan sa Immigration, pero kapag mga pugante, tila ang dali makalusot (When ordinary Filipinos leave the country, Immigration makes it hard for them. But for fugitives, they seem to get through easily),” Hontiveros said.

Since POGO is now officially banned in the country, Hontiveros said persons connected to POGOs should no longer have any influence within government institutions, particularly the BI.