Harry Roque urged to return to PH

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (File Photo: Office of the Presidential Spokesperson/Facebook)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines after he resurfaced in the Netherlands while facing an arrest order from the House of Representatives.

At a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that the arrest order, issued by the House Quad Committee (QuadComm) last year, has yet to be enforced.

“Actually, I cannot speak on behalf of the QuadComm, on behalf of the House of Representatives, because it’s the arrest warrant ng House and hindi napapatupad dahil sa pagtatago ni Atty. Harry Roque (I cannot speak on behalf of the QuadComm and the House of Representatives, because it’s the House’s arrest warrant and it has not been executed yet due to Atty. Harry Roque’s evasion),” Castro said.

Roque, who has been in hiding for months, appeared at the International Criminal Court (ICC) headquarters in The Hague on March 14.

He was seen with Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robin Padilla, saying he intends to join the legal team of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was arrested on March 11 over charges of crimes against humanity.

Castro challenged Roque to return to the country, referencing Duterte supporters’ call for the former president to come back to the Philippines.

“Mas maganda po siguro na i-challenge po talaga natin siya na siya po iyong umuwi, kasi ‘di ba? ‘Bring home FP Duterte.’ So, siguro mas magandang isigaw rin po ng mga tao, bring home Roque (Perhaps it would be better to challenge him to come home because, isn’t it? They say ‘bring home FP Duterte.’ So maybe people should also shout, ‘bring home Roque’),” she said.

Roque faces a non-bailable trafficking complaint over his alleged ties to a raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, but was able to leave the country as he was only issued an immigration lookout order, which does not prevent travel.