Tracker teams out vs Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong, others — CIDG

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Friday that tracker teams have been deployed to serve arrest warrants against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong, and several others.

In a statement, the CIDG said the police deployed the tracker teams nationwide beginning Thursday.

“As of early morning today, the Tracker Teams are tracking and pursuing the 51 accused-subjects of the arrest warrant, across the country,” the CIDG said.

Roque and others are subject of arrest warrants for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the illegal activities in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga.

The arrest warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga on Thursday.

Roque has denied the accusation and said he is not and never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was neither a counsel of Lucky South 99. He also said that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting previously as he thought she was a victim of estafa.

The former presidential spokesperson is currently seeking asylum in The Netherlands.

In a statement late Thursday afternoon, Roque said the issuance of the arrest warrant forms part of the “unjust prosecution,” which he intends to note in his asylum application in the Netherlands.

“I am a victim of political persecution by the Marcos government because I am an ally of the Dutertes,” Roque said.

He added, “I reiterate: this is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum.”

CIDG chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III pointed out that one of CIDG's main tasks is manhunt and arrest of fugitives and wanted persons.

“Rest assured that your CIDG is relentless in its campaign against wanted persons and fugitives, and steadfast in implementing all laws and arrest its violators. The CIDG is dauntless, the CIDG means business," Torre said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News