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Lawyer Harry Roque, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

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Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/174729645951420220907-roque-tollosa-doj-GC-6.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lawyer Harry Roque, September 7, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (UPDATE) —  A regional trial court in Angeles, Pampanga has issued an arrest warrant against lawyer Harry Roque and 49 others for alleged human trafficking in relation to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga.  </p><p>The warrant included Cassandra Ong, alleged representative of the POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. </p><p>Based on the document signed by RTC Presiding Judge Rene Reyes on May 8, the court found probable cause against Roque, Ong, and 9 others, for non-bailable violations under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.</p><p>The Department of Justice had filed qualified human trafficking and regular human trafficking cases against Roque for his alleged participation not just as a lawyer for Whirlwind Corporation that leased land to Lucky South 99, but as a supposed representative of the POGO.</p><p>Roque, who served two stints as former president Rodrigo Duterte&#x27;s Palace spokesman, left the Philippines in September after being cited for contempt for refusing to attend House hearings into offshore gambling sites used as fronts for criminal activities.</p><p>In December last year, he filed his counter-affidavit from the United Arab Emirates and denied being the lawyer of Lucky South 99.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/9/17/roque-s-refusal-to-cooperate-with-pogo-probe-adds-to-suspicion-house-leaders-1040">Roque&#x27;s refusal to cooperate with POGO probe adds to suspicion: House leaders</a></div><p>He has sought asylum in the Netherlands, citing alleged political persecution through <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/1/house-quad-comm-co-chair-rejects-roque-s-persecution-claim-1413">unjust prosecution.</a></p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/28/roque-finds-relief-in-the-netherlands-wala-nang-tago-nang-tago-1926">Roque finds relief in the Netherlands: &#x27;Wala nang tago nang tago&#x27;</a></div><p>The DOJ in April said it would <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/29/ph-to-block-roque-s-asylum-bid-in-netherlands-using-possible-warrant-in-trafficking-case-1336">block Roque&#x27;s asylum application </a>once an arrest warrant against him is issued. </p><p>DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty added that once the arrest warrant is out, the Philippine government would request to place Roque on the red notice of the International Criminal Police Organization, the global police group that handed the International Criminal Court warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte.</p><p>In a statement, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) lauded the court’s issuance of an arrest order against Roque.</p><p>“From being a human rights lawyer to an alleged human rights violator, what a disgusting downgrade, Atty. Roque... Yung tapang mong kumuda habang nagtatago ka sa ibang bansa, gamitin mo para humarap sa korte at magpaliwanag sa mga alegasyon laban sa&#x27;yo,&quot; PAHRA secretary-general Edgar Cabalitan said.</p><p>Roque said he would &quot;seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty which are currently under threat.&quot; </p><p>&quot;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 as a victim of political persecution owing to my loyalty to the Dutertes,&quot; Roque said in a statement. </p><p>&quot;I reiterate: This is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum,&quot; he added.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aLnmxO4YP5o?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qBBbvVeSrnc?&amp;t=1s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oxdROIqH3C8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>A court has issued an arrest warrant against lawyer Harry Roque and several others for alleged human trafficking in relation to a POGO hub in Pampanga.</p>

A court has issued an arrest warrant against lawyer Harry Roque and several others for alleged human trafficking in relation to a POGO hub in Pampanga.

Court orders Harry Roque’s arrest

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Court orders Harry Roque’s arrest

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 15, 2025 04:08 PM PHT

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Updated May 17, 2025 04:37 AM PHT

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