Atty. Harry Roque, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA -- Former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque has submitted his counter-affidavit on a qualified human trafficking complaint related to the alleged illegal POGO operation in Porac, Pampanga, an official said on Tuesday. 

Roque, ex-spokesperson of former President Rodrigo Duterte, submitted his counter-affidavit from Abu Dhabi, said Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon. 

The counter-afffidavit, subscribed by Roque at the Philippine Embassy on November 29, was filed during the continuation of the preliminary investigation on the complaint by the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel of prosecutors.

 “A counter-affidavit was submitted by the lawyers of Harry Roque, it would appear that he had a document which was notarized pero doon siya sa Abu Dhabi, so the panel opted to give the respondent a chance, called for a clarificatory hearing which is scheduled anytime between now and the 16th of December," Fadullon said. 

"[The] purpose is to clarify certain issues and to find out really where Mr. Harry Roque is at this point in time,” he added. 

Roque has been a subject of an arrest order for contempt from the House of Representatives.

Harry Roque cited in contempt anew by House quad comm for failure to submit docs

The justice department earlier said that Roque's counter-affidavit could indicate his whereabouts. 

Harry Roque cited in contempt anew by House quad comm for failure to submit docs

In a Zoom interview with reporters, Roque confirmed that he filed his counter-affidavit in Abu Dhabi, but said he was no longer there.

 Roque refused to give more details about his whereabouts.

 He added that he no longer has to attend the clarificatory hearing by the DOJ since the notarization was done in a government facility with officials including the ambassador.

 “Kung gusto nilang ma-verify kung ako ay sumipot, tawagan nila ang consul na nag-notarize, at tawagan din nila si Ambassador [Ferdinand] Ver na personally present noong ako ay nanumpa," Roque said.

"Wala sa rules na kinakailangan ako ay magpakita dahil ang rules specifiy that I should take an oath before a government personnel na may kapangyarihan na magbigay ng oath so kung sila ay may duda na ako ay hindi sumipot, kontakin nila ang consul, kontakin nila si Ambassador Ver,” Roque said. 

Roque earlier denied being the lawyer of the Lucky South 99 POGO. 

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The qualified trafficking complaint also involves the POGO's alleged representative Cassandra Li Ong and around 50 other respondents.

The national police requested a precautionary hold departure order against all the respondents, Fadullon noted.