Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque. ARCHIVE

Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is facing arrest after a regional trial court in Angeles City issued a warrant against him and businesswoman Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, also known as Cassy Ong, in a high-profile human trafficking case linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. On Thursday (May 15), the Angeles City Regional Trial Court approved the arrest warrants in connection with 11 criminal complaints under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. The charges stem from a string of government raids on illegal POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga, which allegedly uncovered a web of forced labor, illegal detention, and trafficking. Investigators cited laws covering the recruitment and exploitation of trafficked persons. Roque, who also served as chief legal counsel under the Duterte administration, has not yet issued a statement. The same goes for Ong, a businesswoman also tagged in the case. Authorities have also named several other suspects in the operation, including individuals using aliases such as Sam Sy (aka "Boss Eric"), Terry Ye (aka "Boss Terry"), and Norman Macapagal—believed to be part of a syndicate operating under the guise of legal gaming businesses. The POGO raids were part of a broader government crackdown on illegal online gambling operations that have been accused of trafficking, cybercrime, and financial fraud. The National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police led several recent raids that freed foreign and Filipino workers allegedly held against their will. While some of the accused are believed to have fled, the court has scheduled further hearings to proceed with the criminal cases. The current whereabouts of Roque and Ong remain unclear. ICA/Expat Media
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