19-3-2025 (MANILA) The unexpected appearance of Harry Roque, who previously served as President Duterte’s spokesperson, at The Hague has sparked considerable discourse regarding the effectiveness of Philippine travel restrictions. Immigration authorities have clarified the complexities surrounding his ability to journey abroad, despite facing domestic legal challenges.
The Bureau of Immigration’s spokesperson, Dana Sandoval, shed light on the current limitations of monitoring mechanisms. Whilst Roque faces a detention directive from the House of Representatives, his international movements remain relatively unrestricted. The existing immigration lookout bulletin merely enables authorities to observe his travel patterns, falling short of preventing overseas departures.
Parliamentary investigators have branded Roque a fugitive—a designation he vigorously contests—following his absence from congressional hearings examining Philippine offshore gaming operations. The inquiry stems from allegations connecting him to a gaming establishment in Porac, Pampanga, which authorities raided last year over suspected illegal activities.
The matter has drawn parallels with recent high-profile cases, including that of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who reportedly utilised unauthorised exit routes through Tawi-Tawi. Speculation has emerged about similar methods potentially being employed by others seeking to circumvent official departure channels.
Currently, only court-issued warrants would trigger Interpol involvement, mirroring the mechanism that led to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s detention at Scheveningen’s ICC facility on charges related to his controversial anti-narcotics campaign. Without such judicial intervention, the existing parliamentary warrant proves insufficient for international law enforcement activation.
