The Philippine government has officially escalated its pursuit of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque by requesting an international arrest warrant from Interpol. This major development confirms the serious nature of the non-bailable human trafficking charges he faces.
Government Confirms International Manhunt
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio confirmed the significant move during a radio interview on Sunday, November 23, 2025. The Philippine government already submitted a request for a red notice, an international arrest warrant for Mr. Roque, Casio stated, directly addressing Roque's claims of political persecution by emphasizing that the case depends entirely on evidence.
Charges Stem from Brutal Pogo Raids
The legal foundation for this action comes from an arrest warrant issued by Angeles Pampanga Regional Trial Court Presiding Judge Rene Reyes on May 8, 2025. The court found probable cause to charge Roque, Cassandra Ong, and several others with non-bailable human trafficking connected to the illegal operations of Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.
This Pogo hub, situated on a massive 10-hectare complex, was first raided and shut down on September 17, 2022. However, it defiantly resumed illegal operations, leading to a second major raid on June 5, 2025. This operation resulted in the rescue of at least 186 foreign and Filipino workers.
The raid uncovered horrific conditions, with authorities rescuing alleged human trafficking victims, many of whom were Chinese nationals bearing clear torture marks. Police discovered two victims still handcuffed to bed frames, their bodies covered in bruises and signs of torture. The investigation also revealed that several foreign women were sexually abused and being sold online through a bidding system.
Roque's Defense and Current Whereabouts
Despite the evidence linking him to the operation, Harry Roque, who is currently in the Netherlands seeking asylum, has publicly denied any direct connection to Lucky South 99. He has, however, admitted that his client, Whirlwind Corporation, served as the service provider for the raided Pogo hub. Further complicating his defense, official records listed Roque as the head of the legal department for the very Pogo operation now at the center of a major international scandal.
An Interpol Red Notice, once issued, would function as a formal request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest Roque, pending extradition, surrender, or other legal actions to bring him back to the Philippines to face justice.
