Cyberlibel raps vs Roque dismissed

Quezon City prosecutors have dismissed a cyberlibel complaint filed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Atty. Mico Clavano confirmed on Wednesday.

Clavano said the dismissal was due to “insufficiency of evidence.” Roque publicly disclosed the dismissal Wednesday.

“I thank the public prosecutors for applying the law on libel correctly,” Roque said in a statement.

Trillanes, who is running for mayor of Caloocan City, said he will file a motion for reconsideration to appeal the resolution. “It’s too early for Roque to celebrate,” Trillanes said, citing Roque’s absence from the country.

To recall, Trillanes filed the complaint in May 2024 after Roque and vlogger Banat By accused him of giving away Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) to China during backchannel talks in 2012.

He alleged Roque made the accusations in a video posted on his Meta page. Banat By was also implicated for publishing Roque’s video and expressing agreement with his sentiments.

Roque, on the other hand, faces separate legal challenges, including a non-bailable trafficking complaint related to alleged ties to now-banned Philippine offshore gaming operators in Porac, Pampanga.

He is subject to an arrest order from the House of Representatives for non-compliance with a subpoena. Roque left the country after the order was issued.

Roque was initially detained in 2024 and subsequently cited for contempt and ordered arrested again on 12 September.

On 14 March, Roque appeared in The Hague, Netherlands, where former President Rodrigo Duterte is facing an International Criminal Court investigation for alleged crimes against humanity.