Hontiveros urges Roque to face court over Porac POGO ties

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

“Harry Roque must be compelled to return to the Philippines. If he doesn’t, not only would he be evading an arrest order from Congress, he would also be defying a lawful order from a court,” she said. (File Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and face charges against him, saying that evading the law is unbecoming of a lawyer.

“Harry Roque must be compelled to return to the Philippines. If he doesn’t, not only would he be evading an arrest order from Congress, he would also be defying a lawful order from a court,” she said.

Hontiveros issued the statement following the release of arrest orders against Roque, Cassie Li Ong, and several others allegedly involved in the scam-ridden Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) compound in Porac, Pampanga, which has been linked to human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and money laundering.

“Abogado siya kaya alam niya na mali ang ginagawa niyang pag-iwas sa batas (He’s a lawyer, so he knows that evading the law is wrong),” she said.

She also raised concerns about Roque’s connections, citing the arrest of Duanren Wu, godfather to Ong and who was linked in Senate investigations to Li Duan Wang, a Chinese junket operator who allegedly tried to acquire Filipino citizenship through questionable means.

“These dubious personalities seem to be interconnected. It is crucial that those found guilty are held accountable,” Hontiveros warned.