Harry Roque charged with non-bailable human trafficking over POGO scam

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. ARCHIVE

Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong have been formally charged with qualified human trafficking in connection with the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. On Monday (April 28), prosecutors filed non-bailable charges against Roque, Ong, and 48 others at the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC), citing their alleged involvement in trafficking workers under the guise of internet gaming operations. The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the crime was committed by a syndicate and on a large scale, qualifying it under Section 6 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which renders the offense non-bailable. The judge in Angeles will now determine whether there is probable cause to issue arrest warrants against Roque, Ong, and their co-accused. The case poses a legal challenge for the Philippine government as Roque is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, where he has applied for asylum, citing political persecution. The Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with the Netherlands. Roque admitted to representing Whirlwind, the mother company linked to the scam farm, in an ejectment case and assisting Ong in meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to renew the POGO license of Lucky South 99. However, he insisted that these actions did not constitute trafficking. Prosecutors disagreed, stating that Roque “knowingly facilitated or contributed to the activities for the purpose of organizing the trafficking or exploitation of workers.” In a DOJ resolution dated April 7, it was noted that Roque "gained/profited" from "aggressively pursuing the renewal" of Lucky South 99’s Internet Gaming License. The resolution further said, “Roque either had knowledge that his client was trafficking workers, or he was willfully blind to that fact. His indispensable cooperation and participation make him equally liable with his co-respondents.” The Philippines' Anti-Trafficking Act defines qualified trafficking as a crime committed by more than three people against more than three victims. Authorities secured affidavits from 12 trafficking victims related to the case. Ong, meanwhile, denied managing the POGO operations when she appeared before the House Quad Committee, although multiple documents named her as Lucky South 99’s representative. A CCTV operator’s affidavit also alleged that Ong ran the day-to-day operations and was often referred to as the "big boss," although the ultimate figurehead was identified as her godfather, Duanren Wu, who is currently in hiding and also charged. Former government official Dennis Cunanan, linked to the pork barrel scam, was also among those charged for his role as a consultant to Lucky South 99.

Roque’s cyber libel case dismissed

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the DOJ confirmed last week that the cyber libel complaint filed against Roque by former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV has been dismissed by Quezon City prosecutors for lack of sufficient evidence. Trillanes alleged that Roque defamed him in a Facebook video by accusing him of handing over Scarborough Shoal to China. In response to the dismissal, Trillanes said, “It’s too early for him to celebrate.. Anyway, we will still be filing a motion for reconsideration today.” Roque welcomed the ruling, saying in Filipino, "His point is that I allegedly defamed him when I said, first of all, that we lost territory after he was appointed as special envoy to China." Roque added in Filipino: "But isn’t it true? China’s decision to take from us indeed happened after President Aquino appointed him as special envoy to China."

Roque’s asylum bid in the Netherlands

Roque has remained abroad since late 2024, following contempt proceedings before the House Quad Committee for failing to submit documents explaining a significant increase in his assets amid the POGO investigation. In March 2025, Roque surfaced in The Hague, confirming that he had applied for asylum. “No more hiding, that’s why I signed my application. As I said, this is the first time in six and a half months that I’m no longer in hiding,” he said in Filipino, referring to the time he spent in hiding. Roque also emphasized that with his application pending, he can no longer be deported back to the Philippines. The process of application takes about one and a half years, he said. Roque maintains that the charges against him are politically motivated because of his former role in the Duterte administration. This is Ong’s first formal court charge, after previously being cleared by prosecutors in a money laundering case linked to Bamban Mayor Alice Guo. Ong was released from House detention just before Christmas 2024. The developments surrounding Roque and Ong have further highlighted the Philippine government’s intensified crackdown on illegal POGO operations that allegedly serve as fronts for syndicates involved in trafficking, torture, and online scams. Roque, a vocal supporter of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, faces these legal battles as Duterte himself remains detained in The Hague after a controversial handover to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Duterte is facing multiple complaints, including alleged crimes against humanity, stemming from his controversial war on drugs during his presidency. Supporters of Duterte, including Roque's allies, have claimed that the legal actions against them are politically motivated, particularly as the Philippines gears up for midterm elections. They argue that the charges aim to dismantle Duterte’s political base and silence his prominent backers abroad. The Philippine government has not officially commented on these allegations of political motivation. CAM/ICA/Expat Media