A Quad Comm co-chairman on Friday urged “fugitive” lawyer Harry Roque to surface and face the music, warning him that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with him.
At the start of the joint panel’s eight hearing on extrajudicial killings, illegal Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGO) and other issues, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. said the crimes Quad Comm is investigating “have resulted in the loss of life,” in addition to “financial gain” on the part of those behind such illicit activities.
“I cannot fathom how those who have enriched themselves at the cost of the suffering of others can live with themselves knowing that their fortunes are built on the blood of their fellow citizens; how they can live lavishly knowing that their money is blood money,” he said.
“To these people and to those still in hiding, like Atty. Harry Roque, I say this: Have the courage to face the consequences of your actions. It is better to stand and be judged than to live in the shadow of your wrongdoings,” he said.
Abante warned Roque: “Maniwala po kayo (Better believe it); justice will catch up to you sooner or later. It is not a matter of if, but when. As we have always said, the time of reckoning has come.”
The former spokesman of former President Rodrigo Duterte was linked to the illegal POGO hub padlocked by the authorities in Porac, Pampanga, and to a house in Benguet rented by a Chinese fugitive and two Chinese POGO workers.
Roque served as counsel for Cassandra Li Ong, owner of the Porac POGO complex, who is under House custody.
Quad Comm cited Roque for contempt for the second time and ordered his arrest, but he chose to go into hiding.
In his opening remarks, Abante, who chairs the committee on human rights, said those behind EJKs, illegal POGOs, illicit drugs, and other unlawful activities have to face the consequences of their actions.
The House Quad Committee also later on cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of Roque’s wife, Mylah, in connection with their alleged businesses tied to POGO.
