Harry Roque’s wife now out of Philippines, says BI

Harry Roque and his wife Mylah Roque. Photo from Harry Roque’s Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines — Mylah Roque, wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, has left the country, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Tuesday.

Roque’s wife was held in contempt by the House of Representatives Quad Committee, which ordered her arrest after she failed to respond to a subpoena from the panel.

“Ms. Mylah Roque has been out of the country since September 3. Her lookout bulletin was issued on September 16,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said during the Bagong Pilipinas briefing.

READ: House quad comm cites Roque’s wife for contempt, seeks her arrest

An ILBO (immigration lookout order) is different from a court-issued hold departure order (HDO). While the ILBO directs the BI to monitor the subject and to verify the status of their case,  it does not restrict an individual from leaving the country.

To be able to travel abroad, a person subject of an ILBO must seek an Allow Departure Order (ADO) from the chief of the Department of Justice. On the other hand, an HDO, which only a court can issue, will prevent an individual from leaving the country.

Mylah was summoned by the Quad Committee after authorities discovered that she signed a lease agreement with Chinese nationals linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) operations in Bamban, Tarlac.

READ: House panel orders Roque wife’s arrest after snubbing probe

Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Paduano, chair of the House Public Accounts Committee,  said that Mylah had been given enough opportunity to answer allegations linking her and their family-owned company, Biancham Holdings, to another Pogo complex raided by the government in Pampanga.

As for Mylah’s husband, Harry, Sandoval said: Former spokesperson Harry Roque has no recent departure as per our records. He is also the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin order issued on August 6.”

Roque has been making statements through social media while in hiding,  criticizing the quad committee’s actions against him and his wife as political persecution.

He sought protection from the Supreme Court through a writ of amparo filed by their daughter but the request was denied as it is only granted in cases of extrajudicial killings and threats.