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MANILA, Philippines — Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque “must be compelled” to return to the Philippines now that an arrest warrant has been issued against him, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
“If he doesn’t [return], not only would he be evading an arrest order from Congress, he would also be defying a lawful order from a court,” the senator said in a statement on Friday, May 16.
She added that Roque, as a lawyer, should know that evading the law is wrong.
Hontiveros is among the lawmakers who led an in-depth investigation into the alleged illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and the reported involvement of public officials, including dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor and Chinese national Alice Guo.
The Regional Trial Court in Angeles City issued an arrest warrant against Roque on May 8, citing probable cause for non-bailable human trafficking charges.
The warrant also extends to Cassandra Ong, who served as an incorporator of real-estate firm Whirlwind Corp. and authorized representative of now-defunct POGO Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.
“The arrest orders issued against Harry Roque, Cassi Li Ong, and everyone involved in the Porac POGO hub are a welcome development in our crusade against POGOs,” Hontiveros said.
“That hub (Lucky South 99) was one of the biggest scam compounds in the country,” she added.
RELATED: Arrest warrant out for Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong
Roque and Ong's link
Prosecutors accused Roque of knowingly turning a blind eye to the alleged criminal activities of Lucky South 99, which he purportedly represented as legal counsel.
The House Quad Committee’s probe into POGOs found Roque helped facilitate the renewal of Lucky South 99’s license.
The Department of Justice echoed the finding, saying Roque served not only as Whirlwind Corp.’s legal counsel — which leased property to the POGO — but also as a representative of Lucky South 99 itself.
Roque has denied the allegations, insisting he only assisted Ong in settling debts with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), which regulated POGO licenses.
While in the Netherlands to support former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity, Roque is also seeking political asylum.
Ties with POGO financiers, operators
Meanwhile, Ong is reportedly linked to Guo through the POGO hub Zun Yuan Technology Inc., which Guo gave a business permit to. Both hubs are allegedly financed by Lyu Dong.
Hontiveros said Ong’s uncle, Duanren Wu, was also issued an arrest warrant. Wu, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corp, is believed to be the link between Ong, Guo and Chinese businessman Li Duan Wang, a junket operator for 9Dynasty.
“These dubious personalities seem to be interconnected. This explains why it’s important to hold accountable those who are proven guilty,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Otherwise, she said, these POGO financiers and operators will simply "change form" to deceive Filipinos once more.
Total POGO ban. Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, led a 19-month investigation into POGOs from 2023 to 2024.
The Senate hearings uncovered alleged human trafficking, corruption and scam operations tied to POGOs, prompting lawmakers to craft legislative reforms.
The inquiry helped build momentum for a nationwide ban, which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced during his third State of the Nation Address in 2024, following mounting reports of POGOs’ illegal activities.
The total ban was formalized through Executive Order No. 74 in December 2024.
“Human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, money laundering, and various other crimes are rampant. The accused should rightfully face trial in court,” Hontiveros said in a mix of English and Filipino.
