The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a motion to cancel the passports of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is now considered a fugitive, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Monday.
“This will limit his options. I was told he holds two or three passports. What’s important is that he’s compelled to face the charges and defend himself,” Remulla said.
“He’s already fleeing even before the proceedings begin. In our law, flight is an indication of guilt. He should just face the charges to make things easier for the country.”
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested one of Roque and Cassandra Ong’s alleged accomplices in a qualified trafficking in persons case during an entrapment operation in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, on May 22.
The suspect, identified only as “Marlon,” was reportedly the operations officer of a security agency tied to Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Porac.
The CIDG said Marlon also has a pending arrest warrant for 10 counts of qualified trafficking in persons, issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118, with no bail recommended.
“This is the first of the 51. Our efforts to track down fugitives are relentless,” said CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III. “I urge the remaining 50 co-accused to surrender. Our tracker teams are working around the clock to find you.”
