Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has asked the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation on a crime he felt has been committed against him.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Roque made the revelation after he was asked why NBI Director Eric Distor and his chief-of-staff Ernesto Macabare were in the press briefing room at the New Executive Building (NEB) in Malacañang when reporters are not allowed there.
Chief Victor Lorenzo of the NBI Cybercrime Division and Chief Christopher Paz of the Digital Forensics were also present.
Roque, at first, refused to disclose the reason why he invited the said officials.
"Sa akin na lang po yun (Let me keep that one to myself, please)," he said.
Roque, however, gave in and said that he felt he was a victim of a crime but did not disclose further details because it was not of public interest.
"What is the public interest there? They are a law investigation agency. If I feel I have been a victim of a crime then I will consult with them," he said.
"But because there will be an investigation, it is not covered by the right to information, that is wrong. Because police investigation is always an exception to the right of information," he added.
Roque said that he was not sure if he will file a complaint.
"The NBI is here because NBI is tasked by law to investigate possible offenses of existing laws, criminal laws... Tignan muna natin, baka naman walang complaint talaga (Let's see first. Maybe there's no complaint to be filed in the first place)," he said.
"It's now under investigation. Hayaan na po nating umusad ang imbestigasyon (Let's allow the investigation to commence)," he added.
Roque has been the subject of memes made by his critics online. He earlier said he does not mind the memes-- including the offensive ones-- because he was already happy that he can bring joy to the people amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He even rode the wave of memes and launched his own version of memes about himself.