Tiffany Geluz 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on August 6 that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will closely monitor the whereabouts of former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and 11 others linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). 

Photo Courtesy of Rappler.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavan clarified that while this aims to alert authorities of their exits and entries into the country, it does not prohibit them from traveling.

“Hindi ito nakaka-restrict sa right o karapatan mag-travel pero patitimbrehan lang po ang Immigration at ang DOJ kung lumabas o pumasok sila sa bansa,” Clavan clarified.

Among those in the international lookout bulletin order (ILBO) aside from Roque are Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, Xiang Tan, Jing Gu, Stephanie Mascareñas, Michael Bryce Mascareñas, Zhang Jie, Duanren Wu, Raymund Calleon Co, Randel Calleon Co, Dennis Cunanan, and Han Gao.

“May 12 po na pangalan doon. Ibig sabihin po ‘yung 12 na individuals na ‘yun ay mamo-monitor ‘yung outbound and inbound travel ho nila ,” Clevano told reporters.

The BI reported that Ong, the “authorized representative” of the raided POGO Lucky South 99, has left the country and is currently in Singapore. 

The order noted, “Considering the gravity of the possible charges, as well as the wide media coverage and public attention this has gained over the past months, there is a strong possibility that the above mentioned nationals may attempt to place themselves beyond the reach of the legal processes of this Department by leaving the country.”

The DOJ will request a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against the 12 individuals, which, if granted by the court, will ban their overseas travel.

“A precautionary hold departure order will likewise be filed at the Office of the Executive Judge pending preliminary investigation,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla stated in a memorandum to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

Previously, Roque attended public hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on July 29, where he admitted his connections to a POGO-related house in Benguet that was raided on July 27.