NBI to Roque: Come home, face raps

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February 24, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque should return to the Philippines to answer the charges filed against him, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

“He is a lover of the law. You should come home and face the charges and answer them,” newly appointed NBI Director Melvin Matibag told reporters after his courtesy call at the Department of Justice in Manila.

In September 2024, Matibag filed a disbarment case against Roque over a deepfake video that depicted President Marcos sniffing cocaine. Matibag was part of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet. Roque was Duterte’s spokesman.

“I will not zero in on Roque. I don’t want him to distract me. Everybody will be treated the same,” Matibag said, citing Roque’s remarks that his appointment as NBI chief was a “reward.”

Roque is facing human trafficking charges related to his involvement in a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Pampanga.

A Pasig court has reportedly canceled his passport, but Roque, who is in Austria where he is seeking asylum, has denied this, saying he still has a valid passport. He is hoping that an Interpol red notice will not be issued given his petition for asylum.

Politics-free

Meanwhile, Matibag vowed to keep the NBI free from politics amid questions about his background.

Matibag replaced Angelito Magno, who served as acting NBI chief for four months.

Matibag said he would pursue the flood scam suspects and high-profile fugitives, whether friend or foe.

“We will hold those responsible accountable, but if they committed no sin, they should not be prosecuted… just to be fair,” Matibag said. “If they won’t surrender and the court has given us a process, we will use the full force of the law to go after them.”

Matibag said President Marcos’ marching order for him is to advance the country’s interests in the fight against corruption.

Matibag urged the public to judge him based on his track record.

He headed the Civil Service Commission during the Duterte presidency. He also served as general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

With the NBI handling several cases involving the Duterte family and their allies, Matibag promised that there would be “no sacred cows” under his leadership.

“If a friend, colleague or ally will be prosecuted, we will do so. They know that my friendship ends when I need to perform my duty to the nation,” Matibag said.

Matibag was secretary general of Duterte’s party, the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. He resigned from PDP-Laban in 2023 due to “differences in principles.” — EJ Macababbad