Newly-installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III urged former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to face his pending cases in Philippine courts.
"This is a valid case currently pending in our courts. Harry Roque is a lawyer, so he should face his cases accordingly," Torre said in a press conference.
The police chief also joked about the ‘2 out of 51’ status of arrest warrants linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. in Porac, Pampanga.
“We’ve completed 2 out of 51 — this will be a long battle, a long process," Torre said.
Last Thursday, a security guard identified only as “Mariano” was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Clark, Pampanga. CIDG said Mariano was the security guard on duty at Lucky South 99 during the alleged human trafficking incident.
Torre added that it would be “prudent” for the accused individuals to surrender, especially since some of the cases are bailable.
Roque, who has sought political asylum in the Netherlands, may be repatriated through international cooperation, Torre said.
“That’s standard — it’s a whole-of-government approach. Interpol is just one of the many mechanisms we can tap for his repatriation to the Philippines,” he added
On 11 March, Malacañang said the Interpol requested the Philippine government's help in enforcing the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meanwhile ordered the PNP to continue strict anti-drug operations, including the arrest of small-time drug dealers, and to increase police visibility nationwide.
In response, Torre said the PNP will adopt a performance-based “paramihan” system to track arrests made.
“Human rights groups, the media, and lawyers are there — they will investigate whether the police acted appropriately,” he said, assuring that legal aid will be provided to officers who may face complaints.
Torre emphasized that suspects must be apprehended alive and that human rights must be respected at all times during operations.