Quad comm orders arrest of Harry Roque’s wife

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

ARREST ORDER. The quad committee of the House of Representatives holds its eighth hearing into alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Friday (Oct. 11, 2024). The panel issued an arrest order against Mylah Roque, the wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, for her repeated failures to attend committee hearings despite multiple invitations. (Photo courtesy of House Press and Public Affairs Bureau)

MANILA – The quad committee of the House of Representatives on Friday issued an arrest order against Mylah Roque, the wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The panel, led by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, issued the arrest order following Mrs. Roque’s contempt citation for her repeated snub of the committee hearings despite multiple invitations.

Mrs. Roque, a former Pag-IBIG Fund trustee representing private employers, is implicated in a lease agreement with Chinese nationals connected to a POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

The Chinese nationals were arrested during a raid on a property owned by PH2, a subsidiary of the Roque family’s Biancham Holdings.

The committee earlier issued an arrest warrant for Harry Roque, who has gone into hiding.

Harry Roque is accused of withholding documents critical to the investigation, including his tax records and Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

The quad committee, comprising the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts, has uncovered what it described as “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” linking Roque to illegal POGO operations, particularly at the Porac hub.

Roque’s wealth reportedly ballooned, heightening suspicions of his deeper involvement in illegal operations.