BI: Harry Roque likely left Philippines using the same route as Alice Guo

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque likely left the Philippines using the same route that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo used, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

The BI chief pointed this out at the continuation of the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights inquiry into Alice Guo, aka Guo Hua Ping’s escape together with her two siblings.

During the previous hearing of the Senate panel, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) presented the theory that Alice and her siblings Shiela and Wesley, have used the Tawi-Tawi backdoor to escape the country undetected.

NICA Director Ferlu Silvio said during the committee’s hearing last March 4, the agency was able to monitor Roque’s travel from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi on Sept. 2, 2024. No other information came out after Roque landed in Tawi-Tawi.

“Since Atty. Roque has no recorded departure in the BI’s records, he most likely took the same route as Alice Guo in leaving the country by using a backdoor exit in Tawi-Tawi,” Viado said.

Viado said any powerful individual backed by a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), or have the funding and resources can easily leave the country’s borders undetected.

Moreover, POGOs have numerous unofficial ports of exit to choose from in order to escape or hide POGO bosses or their criminal accomplices.

He also admitted it is difficult for the agency to pinpoint the exact sea or airport that the POGOs used to allow Guo or Roque to escape from.

Nevertheles, Viado said the BI will keep on trying to figure out how the POGOs “were able to hide these undesirable aliens.”

Currently, Roque is in the Netherlands to act as a member of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team. Duterte is facing crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an interview, Roque said he is seeking political asylum in the Netherlands.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said it is Roque’s prerogative and the decision whether or not to grant his application lies solely with the government of Netherlands.