DOJ may tap Interpol for Roque’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is open to seeking assistance from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in arresting former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who is facing qualified human trafficking charges in connection with the alleged illegal operations of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pampanga.

In a statement issued yesterday, DOJ spokesman Jose Dominic Clavano IV said that coordinating with Interpol is among the diplomatic options available to the agency in enforcing the arrest warrant issued against Roque by a trial court in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“As for Harry Roque, since he is abroad, the process will be to go through diplomatic channels. We want to clarify that this is a matter of prosecution for a crime in the Philippines,” Clavano said.

When asked by reporters whether the DOJ would consider involving Interpol in serving the warrant, Clavano responded: “That is one of the diplomatic channels that are available.”

In an order dated May 8, Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 118 Judge Rene Reyes directed the arrest of Roque, Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong and nine other people, having found probable cause to proceed with their trial for qualified trafficking under Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

Clavano maintained that Roque is not being singled out and that the arrest of the other accused will be pursued with equal effort.

He added that the prosecution also offers Roque, who has a pending asylum application in the Netherlands, the opportunity to clear his name.

As for Ong and the other accused still in the country, Clavano said the prosecution must promptly request the issuance of hold departure orders to prevent them from fleeing, given that warrants of arrest have already been released.

The case stems from the alleged illegal operations of the POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. The facility was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission on June 4, 2024, during which 207 people, composed of 50 Filipinos, 127 Chinese, 23 Vietnamese, four Malaysians and three Burmese, were rescued.

Lucky South 99 was allegedly involved in cyber-related crimes, prostitution and illegal drugs. According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the rescued workers had also been subjected to physical abuse and illegal detention.

Roque previously admitted to lawyering for Whirlwind, the real estate firm that leased the property used for the hub’s operations. He also allegedly assisted Ong in arranging meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to renew the POGO license.

However, he has consistently maintained that none of his actions constituted human trafficking.

Alongside Roque and Ong, the Angeles City RTC also ordered the arrest of alleged POGO “godfather” Duanren Wu, owner of Whirlwind, and businessman Dennis Cunanan, former deputy director-general of the defunct Technology and Livelihood Resource Center.

In a statement issued Thursday, Roque said he is a victim of “unjust prosecution” and intends to cite this development in his pending asylum application.

Echoing the DOJ’s openness to Interpol coordination, Malacañang also confirmed that the government may work with international authorities to bring Roque back to the Philippines to face the charges against him.

At a yesterday’s briefing, Palace Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro reiterated that the DOJ, through Undersecretary Nicky Ty, is prepared to cooperate with Interpol if needed.

Castro dismissed Roque’s assertion that he is a victim of political persecution, noting that his asylum application should not be used as a shield against a valid arrest warrant.

She emphasized that the former Duterte official has yet to produce documents he had promised to present before Congress.

“Since there is a valid arrest warrant issued by our country, he’s the one who must prove that his arrest, whether through Interpol or cooperation with Interpol… that his extradition to the Philippines was because of mere harassment,” Castro said, adding that seeking asylum does not automatically exempt anyone from arrest when a court-issued warrant exists.

Tracker teams

In response to the arrest order, police tracker teams have been deployed nationwide to locate and arrest Ong and 49 others accused of violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the deployment was in compliance with a directive from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

“The tracker teams are tracking and pursuing the 51 accused – subjects of the arrest warrant across the country,” he said in a statement.

The PNP has also confirmed that Roque may be subject to international coordination via Interpol, considering his current location abroad and his asylum application in the Netherlands.

“That is being considered, especially given the information that political asylum may be granted within a minimum of six months,” PNP public information officer Col. Randulf Tuaño said in Filipino at a press briefing in Camp Crame.

Regarding Ong and other co-accused, Tuaño said the PNP has coordinated with the Bureau of Immigration to verify whether they are still in the country.

He recalled that Ong previously left for Indonesia with suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, despite an arrest order from Congress.

Ong was released from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City last December after a House panel lifted the contempt citation against her.

Joining the agencies, Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that the National Bureau of Investigation is also working in coordination with other law enforcement units, such as the Interpol, to serve the arrest warrants.

Congress reacts

Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian welcomed the issuance of an arrest warrant by a Pampanga court against Roque, Ong and other people allegedly behind human trafficking activities tied to the now-defunct POGO in Pampanga.

Both senators had led the Senate investigation into the links between POGOs and organized crime, which uncovered disturbing allegations of abuse and exploitation involving foreign nationals.

“These dubious personalities seem to be interconnected. Which is why it is important to hold them accountable. Otherwise, they will just assume other forms to victimize more people,” Hontiveros said.

Gatchalian, for his part, said the arrest order validates long-standing concerns about POGOs being breeding grounds for serious crimes, including human trafficking.

He urged law enforcement agencies to dismantle POGO networks and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, regardless of political clout or public prominence.

Echoing the Senate’s stance, House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Jay-jay Suarez also lauded the court’s move, describing it as a sign that the justice system is taking its course.

In an interview during a meeting of major political parties in Makati, Suarez pointed to the legislative work done by various House committees, including the quad committee, tri-committee and the Blue Ribbon panel, as key to building momentum toward this legal outcome.

“We welcome that development. So we hope that, you know, sooner or later, former secretary Harry Roque will come to terms with justice,” Suarez said.

While refraining from commenting on Roque’s claim of political persecution, Suarez underscored that what matters most is the visible progress of justice in the country. — Helen Flores, Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Mark Ernest Villeza