Roque, 11 others on immigration lookout – DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — An immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO) has been issued against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. and 11 other persons of interest in the investigation on the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

In a three-page order, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Roque and the 11 others “may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of the DOJ by leaving the country.”

This is considering the gravity of the possible charges and the wide media coverage and public attention the case has gained over the past months.

“Hence, we deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject persons in order to at least monitor the itineraries of their flight, travel and/or whereabouts,” the order, signed by Remulla, read.

Named in the ILBO were Roque; Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of the Porac POGO hub, and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, among others.

In an interview with reporters, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mico Clavano explained that an ILBO is only a “monitoring mechanism” and is not meant to restrict the right to travel of the respondents.

Clavano said authorities would only be alerted if they leave or enter the country.

He added that reports that Ong had already left the country and is in Singapore are one of the reasons that prompted the DOJ to issue an ILBO.

“The very goal here is to safeguard the integrity of the investigation. We don’t want that in the middle of the investigation, persons of interest will leave the country without us knowing,” Clavano said.

The DOJ, however, will also request a precautionary hold departure order against Roque, Ong and the others which, if granted by a court, will bar the persons of interest from leaving the country.

Roque: Harassment, witch hunt

In a statement yesterday, Roque slammed the ILBO as “plain harassment” and a “political witch hunt” meant to silence him as a critic of the Marcos administration.

“I expect (they) will up the ante following my call, posted on Facebook, to keep Malacañang drug-free after the damning revelations of eyewitness Cathy Binag,” Roque said.

He added that he has “no reason” to leave the country and has committed to face his accusers and answer all allegations related to offshore gaming.

The former government spokesman said the only evidence against him was his accompanying Ong to a meeting with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. for the rescheduling of arrears payment of Lucky South 99 and an uncorroborated organizational chart.

The chart was that of Lucky South 99 that listed him as legal head, but he has since said he was not involved in its preparation and did not consent to the inclusion of his name.

Roque has been facing congressional inquiries into the raided POGO hubs after he allegedly helped Lucky South 99, the raided firm in Porac, reapply for a license and settle their arrears.