DOJ may tap Interpol for Roque's arrest

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.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

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.