MANILA, Philippines — After drawing flak for visiting Ocean Adventure in Subic Bay amid coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine restrictions, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque apologized to those who were offended by his trip but assured that no health and other protocols were violated.
In now-deleted photos posted by Ocean Adventure, Roque was seen in the waters with the dolphins, while another photo showed Roque without a face mask while in a conversation with two persons.
Although the post was already taken down, netizens were able to save copies of the photos and questioned Roque’s actions on social media.
Harry Roque: Natalo natin ang UP!
Harry Roque: Makapag swimming nga muna🤭🤭🤭#Subic pic.twitter.com/1TwUq0LG5v
— Jenelyn Dela Cruz (@Jenelyn29269617) July 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/ibengsxz/status/1278306159871451136
harry roque got to go to a water park at subic today while we people are doing their part and staying at home 😩🖐🏻
— ᜄᜌ 👩🏻 (@jiamariee) July 1, 2020
“Hindi po ako bumibisita doon, taga doon po ako…I’m trying to wrap up ‘yung mga negosyo ko noong wala pa ako sa gobyerno na hindi ko naman magawa noong sarado pa ang Bataan,” Roque said.
(I am form the area, looking after my business which I had before I joined government service, somehting I could not do when Bataan was still on lockdown)
“Wala pong nalabag pero kung meron pong mga na-offend paumanhin po,” he said.
(No rules were violated, but I apologize to those who felt offended)
In an interview on dzMM TeleRadyo on Thursday, Roque explained that he passed by the theme park on his way to his farm in Bataan.
He added that he was considered an authorized person outside residence or APOR as he was given permission to travel due to his agri – business.
The Palace official earlier drew flak after he congratulated the Philippines for “beating” the prediction of researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) that the country would have 40,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of June.