Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered the creation of specialized teams that will hunt down former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the House of Representatives.
Marbil said the specialized teams include tracker units led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and will be using the arrest order from the Lower House, particularly the Quad-Committee investigating the drug war and the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
“We have officially received the request from the House of Representatives, and the PNP is fully committed to executing this order while adhering to our core mandate. Our fundamental duty is to respect the decisions of our democratic institutions and ensure human rights are protected throughout this process,” said Marbill.
The CIDG earlier went to the two known addresses of Roque in Metro Manila but said the lawyer, who is being linked to illegal POGOs, was nowhere to be found.
Roque was ordered arrested after he ignored summons to attend the House hearing, and failed to submit important documents, including his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), after lawmakers sought explanation on the sudden increase of his wealth.
Marbil assured that the operation to arrest Roque would be carried out with the highest level of professionalism and respect for due process.
Aside from the PNP, Marbil said other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration, are also looking for Roque.
“Our operation will continue,” said Marbil, in response to the questions on the failed attempt to serve the arrest warrant on Roque in his two houses in Metro Manila.
“We will not stop. For as long as there is an order (to arrest him), we will follow the orders,” he added.