A regional trial court in Angeles has issued an arrest warrant against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and 10 others for alleged involvement in human trafficking connected to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
The arrest order, dated May 8 and signed by Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Rene Reyes, found probable cause to charge Roque and his co-accused with non-bailable offenses under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Among the accused is Cassandra Ong, identified as a representative of Lucky South 99, the POGO hub at the center of the case.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Roque was charged with both qualified and regular human trafficking. He allegedly acted not only as legal counsel for Whirlwind Corporation — the entity that leased the property to Lucky South 99 — but also as a de facto representative of the POGO operations.
Roque, who twice served as spokesman to former President Rodrigo Duterte, left the Philippines in September 2024 after he was cited for contempt for refusing to appear in congressional hearings on alleged criminal activities linked to offshore gaming hubs.
From the United Arab Emirates, Roque filed a counter-affidavit in December denying any formal ties to Lucky South 99. He has since applied for asylum in the Netherlands, claiming political persecution and unjust prosecution due to his loyalty to the Duterte administration.
In April, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty stated that the Philippine government would move to block Roque’s asylum request upon the issuance of an arrest warrant. Ty also revealed that authorities will request that Roque be placed on Interpol’s red notice list, allowing for possible extradition.
Roque, for his part, insists the case is politically motivated.
“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty, which are currently under threat,” Roque said. “The arrest warrant is part of the unjust prosecution I am facing, and I will include this in my asylum application.”
“This is not flight as evidence of guilt,” he added, “but the exercise of a human right to seek asylum.”
The case adds another layer of controversy to ongoing efforts to crack down on POGO-related crimes in the Philippines.
Harry Roque immediately released a statement regarding the arrest warrant issued against him.