Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has broken his silence following the issuance of a warrant of arrest against him for alleged involvement in qualified human trafficking connected to the controversial Lucky South 99 scam hub. In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Roque claimed that the charges were politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of persecution.
“The issuance of a warrant of arrest forms part of the unjust prosecution, which I will include in my application for asylum in the Netherlands,” Roque stated. He emphasized that he is being targeted due to his ties with former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying, “I am a victim of political persecution by the Marcos government because I am an ally of the Dutertes.”
Roque, who served as Duterte’s spokesperson and later ran unsuccessfully for the Senate, maintained that he had no involvement in the operations of Lucky South 99, which authorities have linked to human trafficking, online scamming, and forced labor. The syndicate allegedly used Filipino and foreign nationals to carry out fraudulent activities, prompting an extensive government crackdown earlier this year.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Roque declared his intention to fight back through legal channels. “I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty, which are currently under threat,” he said. He also reiterated that his plans to leave the country should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt. “I reiterate: this is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum.”
The Department of Justice has yet to issue a formal comment on Roque’s claims. However, sources within the administration deny any political motivation behind the charges, asserting that the evidence against Roque emerged from a months-long investigation into Lucky South 99’s illicit operations.
As the case gains national attention, legal experts anticipate a contentious legal battle ahead. Roque’s asylum application in the Netherlands is expected to test the boundaries of international law and political asylum claims, especially as he positions himself as a victim of state oppression rather than a criminal suspect.
With Roque vowing to fight the charges, the unfolding case may have significant implications not only for his freedom but also for the political dynamics between the Marcos and Duterte camps.