NBI chief Matibag calls on Harry Roque to come home, face charges

Newly-appointed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Monday called on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and face the charges against him.

“He should come home and face all the charges. For people like him na dapat you are a lover of the law, you should come home and face all the charges. Mahirap kapag sa social media tayo nagbabangayan,” Matibag said in an ambush interview.

(He should come home and face all the charges. For people like him who should be a lover of the law, you should come home and face all the charges. It is difficult when we just argue on social media.)

Roque, who is reportedly seeking asylum in the Netherlands, is facing charges for qualified human trafficking in connection to the Lucky South 99 POGO firm. 

His passport was canceled in November 2025.

GMA News Online has reached out to Roque for his comment and will publish his response once available.

Matibag issued the remark when sought for comment on Roque claiming that his appointment was a reward for filing a disbarment complaint against him. Matibag said he filed the complaint due to Roque’s posts on social media.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Matibag last week. He took his oath before Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

READ: Who is Melvin Matibag? Ex-Duterte Cab sec picked as new NBI chief

Matibag, meanwhile, stressed that he is not targeting the former spokesperson.

“Don’t get me wrong, hindi naman ako mag ze-zero sa kanya dahil doon sa ganoon (I won't be zeroing on him because of that). Actually, I don’t want to be distracted doon sa ganyan (because of that). Everybody will be treated the same. Ang (The) bureau is not for one person or one group only,” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News