The staff of lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque declined to accept an arrest warrant issued against him on Friday, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.
Velasco, citing reports from the House sergeant at arms, stated that Roque’s Makati law office staff refused the warrant, which was delivered around 9 a.m. Friday. He added that officers from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) remain stationed at Roque’s office, awaiting further action.
The warrant stems from a contempt citation, which orders Roque’s detention at the House of Representatives until the conclusion of their inquiry into crimes linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Roque has criticized the probe, calling it a “kangaroo court” and arguing that no clear crime has been identified. While he denies involvement in illegal POGO activities, Roque acknowledged providing legal counsel to Whirlwind Corporation, which owns the land housing a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, where authorities discovered suspected criminal operations, including torture and scam activities. Whirlwind Corporation leases property to POGO firms.