Guo, Roque used same escape route, BI tells Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque may have used a similar route in leaving the country to evade authorities, an official of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) told the Senate yesterday.

During the continuation of the Senate subcommittee hearing on justice and human rights chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, BI Commissioner Joel Viado confirmed that their investigation
 indicated that Guo likely fled through a backdoor exit in Tawi-Tawi.

Viado explained, “Guo most likely left the country via a backdoor exit, potentially crossing from Tawi-Tawi into Sabah. The Philippines has a porous border, with a coastline stretching 36,000 kilometers, making it difficult to monitor.”

Viado added that Roque may have followed a similar path after being reportedly seen in Tawi-Tawi on Sept. 2, 2024, before eventually arriving in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The BI also confirmed “sightings” of Roque in Dubai and noted that he attempted to fly to the United States from Japan but was denied boarding.

Since Roque’s departure is not recorded in the BI’s records, Viado suggested that he likely took the same route as Guo.

BI officials believe that Guo used this route to escape, as she did not pass through any airport when leaving the country in July 2024.

Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that Guo bribed an immigration officer to facilitate her escape, and no witnesses have come forward with such claims.

“So many people wish to hear Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) paid immigrant officers at sea and airport, there is simply no proof to that effect. We have been begging witnesses from the airport or seaport for months now to give proof that Alice Guo and her sibling paid,” Viado said.

Francisco Acedillo, deputy director-general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), virtually supported the BI’s theory that Guo used Tawi-Tawi to escape, outlining two possible routes.

One theory suggests that Guo traveled from Tarlac to Batangas by land, then took a flight from Batangas to Balabac in Palawan, followed by a sea journey from Palawan to Tawi-Tawi. From there, she likely traveled by sea to Semporna or Lahad Datu in Sabah, and eventually flew to Kuala Lumpur before catching a flight to Singapore.

Acedillo also proposed a second theory that Guo may have passed through Palawan, from where she traveled by sea to Sabah and then to Kota Kinabalu.

NICA believes that Guo’s escape may have been facilitated by a powerful syndicate involved in bribery, corruption, forged documents and covert networks.

‘Face the music, Roque!’

Lawmakers have united in opposing the asylum request of Roque, accusing him of attempting to evade accountability for his alleged involvement in repressive policies and illegal POGOs.

In a statement released Monday night, Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay called on the Dutch government to reject Roque’s plea.

“Roque is more notoriously known as an opportunist accomplice of human rights violators like Duterte and thus should not be eligible for asylum in the Netherlands and anywhere else outside the Philippines,” she said in a statement.

Palabay argued that granting Roque asylum would be unjustified, asserting that he was an “accomplice” to Duterte’s administration, which has been widely criticized for its alleged human rights abuses.

Alongside Karapatan, the Gabriela Women’s Party and Tingog party-list also denounced Roque’s asylum bid, calling it a “mockery of justice” and a “desperate attempt” to escape accountability.

“Roque’s asylum bid is nothing but a mockery of justice and a slap in the face of the Filipino people. It is obvious that he is using this process to evade accountability,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said in a statement.

“He has been cited in contempt and ordered detained for his refusal to cooperate in our investigation into POGO-related criminal activities. Now, he wants to flee the country to avoid answering for his alleged role in a human trafficking scheme. If he has nothing to hide, why is he running?” Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said in a separate statement.

Meanwhile, with mounting legal pressure, Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City warned that Roque’s efforts to evade accountability were futile, noting that the former presidential spokesman had unsuccessfully sought a writ of amparo from the Supreme Court (SC) in an attempt to avoid detention.

“It’s time to surrender – he is running out of excuses…Attorney Roque should face the music and answer the allegations in the proper forum. The rule of law will always prevail,” he said.

The lawmakers urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work with international authorities to ensure Roque faces justice, emphasizing that the former presidential spokesman’s sudden attempt to flee only raises further suspicions.

“The law must take its course. We cannot allow individuals to exploit international legal mechanisms just to escape criminal liability. Roque may attempt to run, but the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with him. We will ensure that he faces justice – whether here or abroad,” Acidre said.

‘Not a victim’

Echoing the lawmaker’s sentiments, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro urged Roque on Tuesday to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him over his alleged links to POGOs.

“We don’t see any political persecution, he should just face his case here – that would be better so he can show the people that he is truly innocent,” Castro said at a press briefing.

She refuted Roque’s claims of political persecution, pointing out that evidence linking him to POGOs was gathered by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

“So, how could there be a political persecution if all the pieces of evidence are overwhelming?” the Palace press officer said.

“Let’s remember, before he can be granted (asylum), he must be able to show that he has a well-founded fear of political persecution,” Castro added.

Roque’s passport

The decision to cancel former presidential spokesman Roque’s passport for defying the House of Representatives quad committee’s arrest order for contempt will ultimately rest with the DFA.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco clarified yesterday that the DFA – not the House – has jurisdiction over consular affairs and the authority to determine whether Roque should be brought back to the Philippines instead of being granted asylum in The Hague.

“It was the quad committee that issued the arrest order. I co-signed the order. But the House doesn’t have jurisdiction over consular matters. It’s really up to the DFA,” Velasco stated when asked about any House measures to compel Roque’s return.

However, the DFA can only move to cancel Roque’s passport if a criminal case is formally filed against him in court, Velasco added.

Roque is one of the respondents in the human trafficking complaint currently pending before the DOJ, which is linked to the raided POGOs in Porac, Pampanga. -  Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Delon Porcalla, Marc Jayson Cayabyab