Harry Roque, 11 others placed under immigration lookout bulletin -- DOJ
Former presidential spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque Jr. and 11 other persons have been placed under the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
In a memorandum to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla directed the implementation of the ILBO in all ports of exit in the country.
Aside from Roque, also included in the ILBO are former Technology Resource Center (TRC) director general Dennis L. Cunanan, Katherine Cassadra Li Ong, Xiang Tan, Jing Gu, Stephanie B. Macarenas, Michael Bryce B. Mascarenas, Zhang Jie, Duanren Wu, Raymund Calleon G. Co, Randel Calleon G. Co, and Han Gao.
The issuance of the ILBO was confirmed by DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV who said that “tt is merely a monitoring mechanism."
Clavano explained that an ILBO is only issued by the DOJ and is different from a Hold Departure Order (HDO) issued by the courts to restrict the movement of persons.
“The executive cannot restrict the right to travel,” he said.
He also explained that the issuance of the ILBO was prompted by reports that Ong, a representative of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that got raided in Porac, Pampanga, has left the country.
Clavano refuted the allegations made by Roque that the issuance of the ILBO is political harassment.
“They are part of those being investigated. I don’t see any reason why that is a problem or how could that be political harassment,” he said
Clavano, also the DOJ's spokesperson, reminded that various government agencies and the legislature have been investigating the reported illegal activities of POGOs.
“When times like this when there is an ongoing investigation at sa tingin po ng mga awtoridad may flight risk po sila we usually issue a lookout bulletin order not because we want to restrict their travel but so the authorities know kung lumabas sila ng bansa o pumasok sila (and when authorities see that they are flight risks we usually issue ILBOs not because we want to restrict their movements but because we want to know if they have left the country or returned),” he added.