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Some Singaporeans are gambling their way into getting limited edition Labubu toys. Authorities have warned that these are violations of the Gambling Control Act. A growing number of Singaporeans are turning to illegal online gambling to acquire limited edition Labubu toys, authorities warn.  Social media platforms like TikTok have become breeding grounds for illicit scratch-and-win games, where participants risk substantial sums of money for a chance to win the coveted collectibles. These collectibles, trademarked by POPMART and created by Kasing Lung, have been popular worldwide and used by fashion icons, making it a hot commodity especially in Asia.  Channel News Asia reported that some wagers throw in as much as SGD$150 for a slot at some of these scratch and win or roulette games. Some of the rewards include limited-edition plush toys, including the Hide and Seek version that’s inspired by Singaporean mascot Merlion.  These livestreams last for about five hours, with tens to hundreds of viewers per session, indicated the report.  Authorities warn that these flout the Gambling Control Act.  "First timers can be fined up to 500,000 SGD and imprisoned term exceeding 7 years. This is for first time offenders. Repeat offenders can have a fine of 700,000 SGD," Yuen Law managing director Samuel Yuen said, adding that underage players could be fined $1500.   TikTok has taken down these videos, saying they "do not permit the promotion or facilitation of gambling or gambling-like activities."  However, some of these accounts decided to stealthily promote their services even after the ban.  Singapore’s Gambling Regulatory Authority encouraged the public to report “illegal remote gambling activities.”  “Under the Gambling Control Act, GRA has the powers to impose prohibited measures against illegal remote gambling activities,” it said in a statement.  Singapore’s police also said it issued an advisory against a live-streamer doing similar activities, while refusing to disclose these accounts.  Read related article:   Singapore Gambling Declines, But Illegal Online Betting Rises

“He most probably falsified immigration clearances to be accepted by his destination country,” said authorities about Harry Roque leaving the Philippines. Immigration authorities are currently probing Harry Roque for possibly departing the Philippines illegally, after he confirmed filing a counter-affidavit in response to a qualified human trafficking case in Abu Dhabi. “Our records show there were no recent attempts by Roque to leave the country through formal immigration channels. Therefore, we believe he may have left the country illegally, possibly with the help of unscrupulous individuals,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained in a statement, as reported by The Filipino Times.  Roque discreetly left the country amid a Congressional probe on his links to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).  Roque did not leave the country, or even attempt to leave, via formal channels based on immigration records. But BI chief Joel Viado believes he may have falsified documents to escape the Philippines.  “He most probably falsified immigration clearances to be accepted by his destination country,” Viado said as quoted by a Rappler report.  In a supplemental complaint to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Roque–along with Mercides Macabasa and Ley Tan–has been added to a list of suspects that includes Cassandra Ong and 53 others. The allegations involve violations of Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Roque denied any involvement in trafficking activities, stating there is no evidence linking him to recruiting, transporting, or profiting from human trafficking, nor is there proof of conspiracy. He described the complaint as baseless and insists that his inclusion is merely an afterthought. "My inclusion, along with Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99 Outsourcing, Inc., is an attempt to cover up deficiencies in the evidence. There are no overt acts of trafficking or qualified human trafficking that implicate me,” Roque stated in his counter-affidavit. The BI official pointed out that while the Philippines doesn’t have a dedicated law addressing “illegal departures,” Harry Roque could still face charges for document falsification. “There’s no specific law in the Philippines covering illegal departures like in other countries, but charges can be filed under other offenses, such as falsifying documents,” Sandoval explained. Based on BI records, Roque’s last international trip was in July, when he returned from Los Angeles, USA. Sandoval confirmed that there have been no further attempts to leave the country since then. Roque also has an  Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against him.  “Since he is on the ILBO, any attempt to leave legally would have been caught by our immigration officers,” Sandoval said.  Read related article:   Harry Roque Files Counter-Affidavit in Abu Dhabi Amid POGO Probe

Harry Roque signed his counter-affidavit in Abu Dhabi on Nov 29, 2024. He refutes human trafficking charges filed against him while denying his links to POGOs. Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is in Abu Dhabi, based on the counter-affidavit he filed on the case linking him to the now-illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry.  In a 22-page response, Roque dismissed the charges as politically motivated, claiming a lack of evidence against him. Prosecutor-General Richard Anthony Fadullon confirmed that Roque signed his counter-affidavit in Abu Dhabi on November 29, 2024. “It would appear that he had a document which was notarized pero dun siya sa (but he is in) Abu Dhabi. So, the panel opted to give the respondent a chance to call for a clarificatory hearing which would be scheduled anytime between now and the 16th of December. The purpose is to clarify certain issues and find out really where Mr. Harry Roque is at this point in time,” Fadullon said, as reported by the PNA.  Roque has been barred from leaving the Philippines due to an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order and is facing an arrest warrant issued by the House of Representatives for contempt amid a probe linking him to the operations of Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. This stems from his failure to provide financial documents to explain a sudden increase in his wealth. On October 28, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) pressed human trafficking charges against Roque and two others. They are accused of involvement in the operations of Lucky South 99 Corporation, a POGO hub that was raided in Porac, Pampanga. In a supplemental complaint filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ), Roque, Mercides Macabasa, and Ley Tan were added to the list of suspects originally named in September, including Cassandra Ong and 53 others. The charges cite violations of Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364 and further amended by RA 11862. Roque claimed that there was no proof linking him to any trafficking activities, such as recruiting, transporting, harboring, or profiting from individuals involved in human trafficking, nor was there any evidence of conspiracy. Roque tried to dismiss the complaint, claiming that his involvement was “mere afterthought.” “My inclusion, as well as the inclusion of Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99 Outsourcing, Inc. were mere afterthoughts. The inclusion of the two corporations was intended to cure the deficiency of the evidence presented both in the original complaint and the supplemental complaint affidavit that utterly failed to identify any overt act of trafficking or qualified human trafficking that will implicate me,” Roque wrote in his 22-page counter-affidavit. The former government official further argued that there was nothing unlawful about him joining Ong for a meeting with executives of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). “(T)hat meeting on 26 July 2023 was for a legitimate purpose, i.e., to discuss the arrears of Lucky South 99, and how PAGCOR was intending to deny the pending application of the said corporation for the renewal of its Internet Gaming License should the arrears be not settled,” read his counter-affidavit.  Despite an initial report suggesting he was out of the country, the National Bureau of Investigation has contradicted this claim. Vice President Sara Duterte, during her November 23 online press conference, insinuated that Roque might have already left the country. Read related article :   DOJ Says Roque Counter-affidavit Could Indicate Whereabouts

Some 20,000 foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are set to depart the country, less than a month before the government’s deadline. The Philippines is bracing for the departure of thousands more foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as the government’s deadline for the industry’s shutdown approaches. The Philippines is bracing for the departure of thousands more foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as the government’s deadline for the industry’s shutdown approaches. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) estimates that around 20,000 more foreign POGO workers will leave the country in the coming weeks. As of November 7, 2023, a total of 21,757 foreign POGO workers have already downgraded their work visas to temporary visitor visas. “The BI expects around 20,000 more foreign POGO workers to leave in the next few weeks,” the agency said in a statement, quoted by INQUIRER.NET .  President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. imposed a ban on POGO operations in the Philippines due to concerns over their minimal economic contribution and significant social costs. The government's decision to shut down the industry has led to job displacement for thousands of Filipino and foreign workers. “Out of the approved applications for downgrading, 10,821 foreign nationals have since left the country already,” Immigration said.  Displaced POGO workers To assist displaced POGO workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is organizing job fairs across the country. However, some POGO workers have expressed reluctance to participate in these job fairs, citing various reasons. Despite these challenges, the DOLE remains committed to helping displaced POGO workers find new employment opportunities.  “Tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami kahit sa January, February na tutulong sa mga naapektuhang IGLs (internet gaming licensees). Sisiguraduhin po natin na tutulungan natin lahat lalapit sa DOLE (We would continue to help affected employees of IGLs even in January, February next year. We would make sure that all those who would approach the DOLE would be assisted)," Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said in a press briefing, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.  The agency is urging foreign POGO workers to comply with the December 31 deadline to leave the Philippines. Read related article:   Catholic Group Monitoring Enforcement of POGO Ban

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who has been accused of being a Chinese spy, has filed a petition to stop a deportation case against her. Deportation proceedings began for former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. However, her camp has taken legal action to counter this move. Guo has filed a petition for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) with Branch 47 of the Manila Regional Trial Court in relation to her deportation case. Hearings and oral arguments on the matter began on December 3, 2024.  "There was a hearing regarding the TRO on Ma'am Alice's pending immigration case, so today we had oral arguments for the petition we filed," said Nicole Jamilla, Guo's lawyer. Based on an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation, Guo's fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping. Lawmakers claim that Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping are the same person. However, Guo has previously insisted that she is a Filipino. Her lawyer also asserted that Guo is a Filipino and there is no indication that she is a Chinese citizen. The former mayor's camp clarified that Guo has several pending cases, including qualified human trafficking in the Pasig RTC and material misrepresentation before the Commission on Elections. Guo's camp believes they have sufficient evidence to fight the deportation case. This is a document about the arraignment of Alice Guo for misrepresentation. It discusses the charges against her and the court proceedings. The Tarlac RTC has set the arraignment for December 5, 2024.  The controversial mayor is also facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking for allegedly conspiring to allow an illegal POGO in her town, aside from graft charges.   She has also been implicated as a potential "agent of influence." While the National Bureau of Investigation has linked her fingerprints to a Chinese national, concrete evidence of her being a spy is still lacking.  She has denied all accusations against her. Read related article:   Intelligence Official Says Alice Guo “Agent of Influence”

Tagged as the largest POGO hub in the Philippines, Island Cove is owned by businessman Kim Wong. It is now officially closed as of November 30, 2024. The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub located at Island Cove in Cavite has officially shut down a month earlier than the December 31 deadline set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The closure, which took place on November 30, 2024, marks a significant step in the government’s push to close down all POGOs operating in the country by the end of the year. A photo obtained by Politiko showed a tarpaulin displayed at the entrance of the Island Cove facility, announcing the shutdown: "ISLAND COVE IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED as of Nov. 30, 2024." This early closure came as a result of mounting pressure from the government to shut down POGOs, which have faced increasing scrutiny over their alleged ties to organized crime and illegal activities. Largest POGO Hub in the Philippines Island Cove, a sprawling 36-hectare property in Cavite, has long been known as one of the largest POGO hubs in the Philippines. It was owned by businessman Kim Wong, a prominent figure in the local gaming industry. Last October, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla had vowed that the facility would be shut down by December 15, 2024, in line with the government’s broader plan to eliminate POGOs operating in the country. The closure of Island Cove is part of a broader crackdown on POGOs, which have been facing increasing criticism from various sectors of society. The government has cited concerns about the impact of these gaming operations on public order, the rise of illegal gambling activities, and reports of criminal syndicates using POGOs as fronts for illicit operations. Presidential Mandate for POGO Closure In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) earlier this year, President Marcos ordered the closure of all POGOs operating within the country by the end of 2024. This directive came in response to growing concerns over the negative effects of the POGO industry, particularly its links to human trafficking, money laundering, and other forms of organized crime. READ: President Marcos Signs Executive Order 74 Enforcing POGO Ban The Philippine government has been increasingly vocal about the need to regulate or shut down POGOs. These gambling operations, which cater mainly to foreign nationals, particularly Chinese nationals, have been the subject of numerous investigations due to their alleged involvement in illegal activities. Despite being a source of revenue for the country, the government has prioritized national security and social stability over the economic benefits that the POGO sector provides. Remulla’s Denial of Involvement Jonvic Remulla, the Interior Secretary, who previously held ownership of Island Cove through his family, has strongly denied any personal involvement in the POGO industry. In response to accusations linking his family to the operations at Island Cove, Remulla offered a P10-million reward to anyone who could provide evidence of his family’s involvement in gaming activities at the leisure hub.  Remulla has faced scrutiny due to his family’s past ties to Island Cove, and the POGO operations conducted there. Despite his public denial, the allegations of political and business connections to the POGO industry have continued to circulate, raising questions about the extent of government involvement in the sector. The closure of Island Cove, however, signals the government's commitment to enforcing the President’s directive. Remulla has maintained that his family’s interests in Island Cove were unrelated to the POGO operations that took place there, further insisting that he and his family had no direct involvement in the gaming industry. Impact on Local Economy and Workers The closure of Island Cove has led to uncertainty for the thousands of employees working in the POGO hub. As one of the largest POGO facilities in the country, Island Cove employed many individuals across various sectors, including security, administration, and customer service. With the sudden closure, many workers are now facing the prospect of job loss. Local businesses in the area that relied on the influx of POGO employees and foreign clients may also feel the economic impact of the shutdown. Island Cove’s closure is part of a broader trend of the Philippine government moving to shut down POGOs, potentially leading to job losses and disruptions to local economies, particularly in areas that have become heavily reliant on the sector. Government’s Ongoing Crackdown on POGOs The early closure of Island Cove is just one of several steps taken by the government in its ongoing effort to shut down all POGOs in the country by the end of the year. In addition to Island Cove, several other POGO hubs across the Philippines have already been raided or closed, with authorities continuing to monitor the industry for any further illegal activities. The Philippine government’s crackdown on POGOs is expected to continue into 2025, as officials work to address concerns over national security, crime, and illegal gambling. Read related article: 5,000 Cavite Jobs at Risk as Kawit POGO Hub Faces Closure

Indonesia is pushing for the rehabilitation of teenagers exposed to online gambling. Indonesia is pushing for the rehabilitation of teenagers affected by online gambling, instead of criminalizing them.  The government is concerned about the rising number of young people who are getting addicted to online gambling and is looking for ways to help them recover. According to government data, some 960,000 out of 8.8 million Indonesians affected by online gambling are school and university students.  "They are victims of a system that is not protecting them enough. Hence, the main strategy to address them should be through rehabilitation instead of punitive approaches," the ministry's deputy for youth empowerment, Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh said in a statement last December 3, as quoted by Indonesian news agency Antara.  READ: UN Warns of Illegal Online Gambling; SE Asia Faces $37B Loss The government's rehabilitation program will provide support and education to young people who are affected by online gambling. The program will help them to develop digital skills and to avoid harmful online activities. The government will also offer support to those who are struggling with financial difficulties or relationship issues related to gambling. "We encourage them to be content creators, YouTubers, or other digital-related professions. From merely idling, they can now relax on the beach while the money comes to them," Sholeh shared.  Online gambling is illegal in Indonesia. However, it is still prevalent, especially among young people. This is due to the easy access to online gambling sites and the lack of awareness about the dangers of online gambling. The Indonesian government has been cracking down on online gambling. In 2022, the government blocked over 600,000 gambling websites. However, new websites continue to emerge, making it difficult to completely eradicate online gambling. By focusing on rehabilitation and education, Indonesia aims to create a futur e generation that uses technology responsibly and avoids the pitfalls of online gambling. Read related article: 960K Indonesian Students Gamble Online: Gov’t Data

Malaysia’s possible amendments on its communications law is expected to crack down on “online harm, online gambling and scams.” Malaysia’s expected amendments on its communications law is expected to tighten curbs on “online harm, online gambling and scams,” among others.  Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil bared this ahead of parliament’s hearing on the law last December 2.  “Our focus is on aspects of online harm, online gambling and scams, cyberbullying and sexual crimes against children or paedophilia,” Fahmi said after closing the Communications Carnival in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, the same day, as reported by Bernama.  Ahead of this, the Malaysian government, through the  Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC),  has requested to remove over 250,000 posts related to online gambling and scams on Facebook.  The MCMC has identified 172,072 online gambling-related items and 56,136 items linked to various fraudulent schemes. This proactive step by the MCMC underscores the government's commitment to combating these illegal activities, which not only violate local laws but also pose significant financial risks to Malaysian citizens. During his parliamentary address, Fahmi highlighted the challenges faced by Malaysian authorities in regulating online content. He emphasized that while the MCMC can request the removal of harmful content from social media platforms like Facebook, it lacks the direct authority to enforce such requests.  Fahmi also shed light on the economic impact of online scams, revealing that Malaysians lost a significant RM432 million to fraudulent activities on Facebook in the previous year. He further noted that Facebook generated substantial revenue of RM2.5 billion from Malaysia, a significant portion of which came from advertisements, including those linked to online investment scams. While the MCMC can request the removal of harmful content from social media platforms, it lacks the authority to enforce such requests. The decision ultimately rests with the platform itself. Read related article: 960K Indonesian Students Gamble Online: Gov’t Data

The Catholic group Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking is keeping eye on the enforcement of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) ban. A Catholic group is keeping eye on the enforcement of the country's ban on offshore gaming operators (POGO), as they voiced their concern regarding its links to human trafficking.  "There was links between the so-called Philippine offshore gaming operators, or POGO, and human trafficking," Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMAHT) said in a statement.  PIMAHT said this as the group met up with local Church leaders, including representatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC).  They welcomed the government's decision to ban POGOs by the end of the year and pledged to monitor the implementation of this policy. Fr. Bryand Restituto, CBCP assistant secretary general, highlighted the potential negative impact of POGOs on Filipino families, particularly children left behind by POGO workers. "The PIMAHT upholds the decision of the Philippine government to the banning of all the POGO’s come end of the year, and as a network, it will become a watchdog to the progress of these directives," Restituto said, as quoted by CBCP News.  Restituto also voiced concern over children left behind by POGO workers.  He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to address the social and economic consequences of the POGO industry. The rapid growth of the POGO has been linked to a surge in prostitution activities in the Philippines. The influx of wealthy foreign workers has created a lucrative market for sex work, while economic disparities and limited job opportunities have made Filipino women vulnerable to exploitation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a ban on POGOs during his State of the Nation Address, following it up with Executive Order 74   which formalized the operations against POGOs.  Read related article:   Kids of Deported POGO Workers Being Helped by PAOCC

A Chinese national known only as Boss Ayang was sentenced to two life terms. He was ordered to pay a fine of P4 million. A Chinese national was convicted by a Pasay court for operating a prostitution ring that exploited Filipino women, including a minor.  These women were coerced into sexual services catering to foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The court sentenced “Boss Ayang” to two life imprisonments and imposed a fine of P4 million. The conviction was based on violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. The case stemmed from a raid in November 2023, where 14 Filipino women were rescued. The victims testified about being forced to service multiple clients per month and remitting half of their earnings to Ayang.  “[The] accused collected the shares of several women only because accused Ayang ordered her to do so, to which she agreed in her desperate attempt to earn money considering that the number of her customers had decreased,” the court said, as quoted by GMA News.  While Ayang faced severe consequences, two other individuals involved in the operation were acquitted.  A Filipina accomplice, initially implicated, was exonerated as the court determined her role was limited to collecting payments on Ayang's behalf. She was, however, recognized as a victim of human trafficking herself. Another Chinese national, Ayang's life partner, was also acquitted due to insufficient evidence. This individual will be deported from the Philippines. The case highlights the alarming issue of human trafficking linked to the POGO industry in the Philippines. It underscores the urgent need for stricter law enforcement and comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Read related article: Chinese National Coerces Women into Sexual Services for POGO Clients

Vloggers allegedly hired by POGOs and drug syndicates to spread falsehoods against the House Quad Committee may face charges. Vloggers allegedly hired by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug syndicates to spread false information and discredit the House of Representatives' Quad Committee may face legal consequences under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Representative Robert Ace Barbers, the overall chairperson of the Quad Committee, has officially requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate and prosecute these individuals for disseminating misinformation aimed at undermining the committee's investigations and its members. In a formal letter to NBI Chief Atty. Jaime Santiago, Barbers outlined potential charges, including libel, sedition, conspiracy to commit sedition, incriminating innocent persons, and intriguing against honor, all in conjunction with the Cybercrime Prevention Act. “Subject to the appreciation of your good office, these charges may include the crimes of Libel (Art. 353 RPC), Sedition (Art. 139 RPC), Conspiracy to Commit Sedition (Art. 142 of RPC), Incriminating Innocent Person Act (Art. 363 RPC), and Intriguing Against Honor (Art. 364 RPC) – all in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act,” Barbers stated in his letter to NBI Chief Atty. Jaime Santiago. Barbers expressed confidence in the NBI Cybercrime Division's ability to gather crucial evidence, such as metadata and activity logs, to support potential charges. The representative has reportedly submitted evidence to the NBI for investigation. This evidence includes vlogs originating from his province, Surigao del Norte, and subsequently spreading across Metro Manila. These vlogs falsely linked him and his brother, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, to illegal drug activities. The Quad Committee has been actively investigating POGO-related issues, including alleged involvement in illegal activities and tax evasion.  Read related article:   POGO-Funded Slander Campaign Condemned by Barbers

The camp of Harry Roque requested an extension for filing his counter-affidavit on the qualified human trafficking complaint linked to the Porac POGO operation. The Department of Justice believes that the counter-affidavit Harry Roque will submit could be a strong indicator of his whereabouts.  Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said this, as DOJ accommodated interviews on the former presidential spokesperson's failure to submit a counter-affidavit when they launched a preliminary probe on the case last November 29, 2024.  Clavano said Roque's camp committed to submit it on December 3.  "Interesting po yan dahil titingnan po natin yung subscription, kung saan siya nag-subscribe. Dahil kung nag-subscribe siya dito sa Pilipinas, then malalaman po natin na nandito pa siya sa Pilipinas. Kung wala po siyang ifafile, then it gives more reason for us to believe na wala na po siya dito sa Pilipinas (It’s interesting because it all boils down to where he’ll subscribe. Because if he subscribed in the Philippines, we will find out if he is still in the Philippines. If he doesn’t file, it gives us more reason to believe that he is not in the Philippines)," Clavano said, as reported by ABS-CBN News.  Roque has been the subject of an arrest order for contempt from the House of Representatives for his ties to the alleged illegal POGO operation at Porac town in Pampanga. The camp of lawyer Harry Roque has requested for more time to file his counter-affidavit.  Reports of Roque’s whereabouts have been conflicting so far, with Immigration saying he is still in the Philippines, while the NBI believes otherwise. Vice President Sara Duterte also previously hinted at Roque leaving the country.  "'Yung karagdagang mga respondents po sa ating kaso gaya po ni Harry Roque ay hindi po nag-file. They are asking for some time baka sa December 3 po sila magfa-file ng counter-affidavit (The other respondents in our case like Harry Roque did not file. They are asking for some time, maybe on December 3 they will file their counter-affidavit)," Clavano said in an ambush interview, as quoted by GMA News.  Roque failed to submit his counter-affidavit when DOH launched its preliminary probe on the case last November 29. Roque's lawyer then requested to submit this on Tuesday, December 3 instead.  Clavano said it's up to the prosecutors whether Roque needs to show up in person to sign his counter-affidavit. He added that sometimes, they let people sign remotely if there's a good reason. "Minsan ho ay pinapayagan po nila for justifiable ground. Ngunit hindi po natin masasabi 'yan, decision po 'yan ng panel of prosecutors," he explained. Read related article:   Immigration, NBI Give Conflicting Info on Harry Roque Location