Former presidential spokesman and lawyer Harry Roque (Screengrab from Roque's Facebook livestream)
Despite the social media rant against him, Department of the Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla still considers Harry Roque as a close friend.
In a video message on his Facebook account, Roque even dared Remulla to go to Austria to arrest him, adding that he would wait for the DILG Secretary to come.
The former presidential spokesperson was reacting to the report that Remulla would personally arrest him over the human trafficking case that the former is facing in relation to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) during the past administration.
But Remulla said it does not need his presence to do so.
“When I said ‘personally arrest’, it does not mean that I will be the one who will personally (arrest him). We will coordinate with the necessary authorities to do that,” said Remulla.
Roque is facing a non-bailable case of human trafficking and Remulla said that his best friend Harry has already a cancelled passport.
‘I will repeat, Harry and I, we have a very close relationship,” said Remulla.
“But I will not set aside my power, my responsibility as Secretary just because of our friendship,” he added.
Remulla said procedures will be done and all proper methods will be done in the conduct of arrest.
Remulla was earlier quoted in an interview that his friendship with Roque started during their college days at the UP Diliman.