Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque may have fled the country using the same illegal route through Tawi-Tawi, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) told the Senate.
BI Commissioner Joel Viado confirmed Guo likely escaped via a backdoor exit to Sabah, while Roque was seen in Tawi-Tawi before surfacing in Dubai.
Lawmakers denounced Roque’s asylum bid in the Netherlands, calling it a “mockery of justice” and an attempt to evade accountability for his alleged involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed claims of political persecution, stating that strong evidence links Roque to the POGO scandal.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) may cancel Roque’s passport if a formal criminal case is filed against him, while authorities vowed to ensure he faces justice.
Source: PhilNews24 | March 19, 2025
