Newly installed National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag called on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and confront the allegations filed against him, as reported by Inquirer.net.
Roque is currently abroad and is among several individuals facing arrest in connection with an alleged human trafficking operation linked to the activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator based in Porac, Pampanga.
Speaking to reporters during an ambush interview at the Department of Justice on Monday, Matibag addressed Roque directly.
“You should come home and face all the charges. That’s where you should answer all the charges against you,” Matibag said.
The former spokesperson had earlier questioned Matibag’s appointment to the NBI, suggesting it was a form of payback for initiating a disbarment complaint against him.
Matibag rejected that assertion, saying the top post at the investigative agency comes with heavy responsibilities.
According to him, leading the NBI cannot be described as a “reward,” given the demands of the position.
Both officials previously served in the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Roque acted as presidential spokesperson, while Matibag held the role of Cabinet secretary and later served as secretary general of Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban).
Despite the public criticism, Matibag said he still considers Roque a friend and stressed that differing views are part of public life. “Anyone is entitled to their opinion,” he said.
He added that the disbarment complaint he initiated remains pending before the Supreme Court and should be resolved there. “The case I filed is in the Supreme Court, let it be resolved in the Supreme Court, and I should not be judged on things like that but on my performance as NBI director,” Matibag said.
Matibag lodged the disbarment case in September 2024, citing what he described as malicious social media posts by Roque regarding a supposed “deepfake” video that allegedly depicted President Marcos using illegal drugs.
