The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Thursday that they have obtained information on the possible whereabouts of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
According to Lt. Col. Imelda Reyes, spokesperson for the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), they are following a lead in their ongoing manhunt for Roque, who has been in hiding since being held in contempt by the House of Representatives.
“Ang lead na yun doon lang nag uumpisa and then ivavalidate and then kapag positive na mas maireveal natin ‘yun… Kahit papaano may pinag-umpisahan na tayo, mapag umpisahan na kami sa paghahanap na sa kanya since wala nga siya doon sa kanyang residence,” said Reyes.
(This lead is just the beginning. We’ll validate it, and if it turns out to be positive, we can reveal more… At least we now have a starting point in our search for him since he wasn’t at his residence.)
Reyes added that CCTV footage has been acquired, which could assist in determining Roque’s current location.
“Nakita siya. Kailangan natin ng recording para malocate talaga so but as of now maganda naman (ang development) kasi may nakapag positive na nakakita sa kanya sa area that’s why vinavalidate natin,” she said.
(He was seen. We need the recording to pinpoint his location. So far, the development is good because someone positively identified him in the area, which is why we’re validating it.)
Reyes also issued a warning to anyone who may be harboring the former presidential spokesperson.
“If ever naman na meron mag coddle sa kanya ay meron naman kaukulan kung mapatunayan natin ay yung obstruction of justice sakaling meron man,” she said.
(If anyone is found to be harboring him, they could face charges for obstruction of justice if proven.)
Earlier, the PNP stated that their tracker team, led by the CIDG, was unable to locate Roque at two addresses in Metro Manila. However, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Roque is still in the Philippines.