The Pampanga court has ordered the arrest of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong, and several others for their alleged involvement in the illegal operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) run by Lucky South 99.
Photo: Harry Roque/Facebook
According to the warrant ordered by the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 118 on May 15, they obtained 11 separate informations for non-bailable Violation of the Republic Act 9208 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
“After careful evaluation of the 11 separate informations, the resolution, and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to hold all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged,” the order noted.
In a statement, Roque claimed that the warrant of arrest against him was part of the “unjust prosecution.”
“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. I am a victim of political persecution by the Marcos government because I am an ally of the Dutertes,” he said.
“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty which are currently under threat. I reiterate: this is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum.”
Lucky South 99 was a POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga that was raided in 2024, where the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported finding evidence of torture and kidnapping. Over 150 foreign workers were also reportedly rescued during the operation.
Following the raid, Roque and Ong were both implicated in subsequent legal proceedings. Roque faced accusations of assisting in obtaining the operating license for the hub, and Ong was identified as the authorized representative of Lucky South 99. Roque, however, has denied the allegations against him.
He is currently applying for asylum in The Hague, Netherlands.
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