PAOCC: Gov't submitted Interpol red notice request against Harry Roque
The government is seeking an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice against ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio.
"The Philippine government has submitted a request for red notice, international arrest warrant, para kay Ginoong Roque," Casio told DZBB on Nov. 23.
"Medyo mahirap lang, gawa ng siya po ay nag-po-project na siya ay diumano biktima ng political prosecution. Wala namang ganoon, lahat naman nakadepende lamang doon sa ebidensya."
A red notice is a request "to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.”
In May, an Angeles, Pampanga court ordered the arrest of Roque, Cassandra Ong, and others for alleged human trafficking in relation to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub.
The PAOCC found documents bearing his signature in their raid of Lucky South 99, a POGO in Porac, in June.
When the Senate started its hearings on the matter, Alejandro Tengco, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, confirmed Roque's connection by revealing that he was the one who assisted Lucky South 99 in reapplying for a new license.
Roque has denied any wrongdoing, saying he never lawyered for Lucky South 99 and any POGO for that matter. He stressed that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting, as he thought she was a victim of estafa.
Roque, who has fled the country, is seeking asylum in the Netherlands. In June, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin—who was Justice Secretary at the time—said the former spokesman was denied, but Roque later refuted this claim.
Casio also told DZBB that an Interpol red notice has also been issued against Ong, who was last tracked in Japan after her release from detention.
The PAOCC spokesperson said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City that there is no information on whether Ong had traveled to other countries.
Roque has yet to issue a statement on the matter.