Ex-Palace spox Roque, 2 others, charged with human trafficking

Former presidential spokesperson Harrry Roque (File Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday filed human trafficking charges against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. and two others for their alleged involvement in Lucky South 99 Corporation, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub raided in Porac, Pampanga.

In a supplemental complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Roque, Mercides Macabasa and Ley Tan were added to the complaints filed against Cassandra Li Ong, and 53 others last month for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by RA 10364, as further amended by RA 11862.

In an ambush interview, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) prosecutor Darwin Cañete said Roque was included due to his alleged “active participation in the furtherance of the illegal activity” of Lucky South 99.

“There is a statement or testimony from the assistant vice president of PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.) that last July 26, 2023 respondent Roque and Cassandra Ong went to their office to have a meeting,” Cañete said.

Roque also allegedly made “several follow-ups” with the PAGCOR official concerning the status of the firm’s gambling license renewal.

“Officers and people who have something to do with the corporation should be made to answer and are supposed to explain their respective activities with respect to the human trafficking activities of Lucky South (99),” Cañete explained.

Tan was the head of the company’s accounting department, while Macabasa served as its security compliance officer.

Roque has denied his involvement in POGOs but assured that he will face the charges against him.