SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday took exception to former Palace spokesman Harry Roque’s claim that he has the right to travel since there is no arrest warrant or order barring him from leaving the country.
Roque, in a radio interview last Tuesday, said Hontiveros was just trying to get public attention for the elections, adding this explains why she called for a Senate subcommittee hearing where his name was mentioned.
Roque was referring to the hearing when Hontiveros hit the BI during last Tuesday’s Senate subcommittee on justice and human rights hearing for not being able to track the former Palace official after he fled the country with his wife last year amid the House quad committee hearing on POGOs.
The House quad committee cited Roque and his wife Mylah in contempt and ordered their arrest last October after they refused to attend the inquiry and for Harry’s failure to submit subpoenaed financial documents. He is also facing a complaint for human trafficking.
“For the record, there is no warrant of arrest issued against me. Flight from congressional contempt, I wish to underscore, cannot be evidence of anything. As DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said, I am being pursued not as a criminal or fugitive but as a resource person. Having said this, I have no hold departure order and have the right to travel. Mahirap ba itong intindihin, Sen. Risa? (Is this hard to understand, Sen. Risa?)” Roque said.
Hontiveros asked Roque if he and his wife were merely travelling or just escaping, which is why they left the country undetected.
“In his own words, he explains his extended disappearance as a ‘flight from a congressional contempt.’ That is a clear admission of liability for the crime of disobedience to summons by Congress under Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code,” she said.
She said Roque is talking about his right to travel, but the BI has declared that it is studying the filing of cases against him for leaving the country through illegal means.
“Ayon nga sa BI, malamang ay gumamit si Roque ng falsified immigration clearances para makapasok sa iba’t-ibang bansa o di kaya ay tinutulungan ng masasamang indibidwal…Kung talagang travel lang ‘yan, bakit illegal ang pag-alis mo – at bakit ayaw mo nang bumalik, Harry Roque? (The BI said that Roque could have possibly used falsified immigration clearances to enter different countries or is being helped by unscrupulous individuals…If you are really just travelling, why did you illegally leave the country, and why won’t you come back home, Harry Roque?)” Hontiveros said.
During last Tuesday’s Senate hearing, BI chief of intelligence Fortunato Manahan said they have information that Roque and his wife were monitored in Japan while trying to board a plane bound for the US. They, however, were not allowed to board.
Manahan also confirmed information from Hontiveros that aside from Japan, the Roques were also sighted in Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, and Macau.
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director Ferlu Silvio said they had information that Roque and his wife were monitored in Zamboanga City and took a commercial flight to Tawi-Tawi last September.
Silvio said Tawi-Tawi could have been used by the Roques to flee the country.
