Quad committee lifts contempt order vs Roque, others

MANILA, Philippines — Before the 19th Congress adjourns sine die this week, the quad committee of the House of Representatives lifted the contempt orders against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, his wife Mylah, two police officers and former economic adviser Michael Yang.

The Roque couple, Yang, police Col. Hector Grijaldo and Executive M/Sgt. Arthur Narsolis were cited in contempt during the quad comm’s probes into former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

With the special panel’s contempt powers lifted, its findings were consolidated into a final report for legislative recommendations and possible prosecutorial action.

Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, charged with human trafficking related to his involvement in Lucky South 99, a POGO hub raided in Porac, Pampanga.

Alleged false testimonies and refusal to submit documents led the quad comm to cite Roque in contempt last year.

His wife allegedly acquired properties associated with the POGO hub.

Grijaldo will be released from House custody after being detained since December for ignoring subpoenas related to drug war probes.

Narsolis remains at large. He reportedly ordered the killing of three Chinese drug suspects at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in August 2016.

Yang, who served as Duterte’s economic adviser, is allegedly linked to a warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga where authorities seized illegal drugs amounting to P3.6 billion.