PH gov't submitted Interpol red notice request vs Harry Roque —PAOCC

The Philippines has requested that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for alleged qualified human trafficking, according to Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). 

“The Philippine government already submitted a request for a red notice, an international arrest warrant para kay Ginoong (for Mr.) Roque,” Casio told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

“Mahirap lang kasi nagpo-project siya na siya diumano ay biktima ng political persecution... Wala namang ganu'n… Lahat naman nakadepende sa ebidensiya,” he added.

(It’s just difficult because he’s projecting himself as supposedly a victim of political persecution, but there’s no such thing. Everything depends on the evidence.)

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Roque maintained that an Interpol red notice is a request for international law enforcement cooperation and not an international arrest warrant – hence, it “does not override a receiving state’s obligations under refugee and asylum law.”

“I reiterate that I continue to be protected under the international principle of non-refoulement, despite the Philippine Government’s renewed moves to cancel my passport and to seek an Interpol Red Notice against me,” he said on his Facebook account.

“Because the Dutch authorities know I am an asylum seeker, the Dutch police cannot lawfully apprehend or return me to the Philippines while my asylum petition is pending. The protections that follow from my pending asylum claim remain in force,” Roque added.

The former Palace spokesperson said he will continue to defend his rights and cooperate with any “lawful proceeding.”

“I will continue to assert the protections that international law grants to asylum seekers, and I will use every legitimate legal channel to present evidence, seek accountability, and defend my professional reputation,” Roque said.

In May, warrants of arrest were issued against Roque, Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong, and 48 others for qualified human trafficking in relation to the alleged scam hub run by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

According to PAOCC, they were able to find evidence of torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking at the site, as authorities were able to rescue at least 158 foreign employees.

Lucky South 99 has denied the allegations.

Roque was accused of helping secure an operating license for the POGO hub and was identified as the head of Lucky South 99’s legal department in its license reapplication, which was later denied by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The former spokesperson has denied the accusation, saying he is not, and has never been, the legal counsel of any illegal POGO, nor has he ever represented Lucky South 99.

He is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands.

Cases were filed against the Roque and Ong in April 2025.

Meanwhile, PAOCC earlier said Ong was last tracked in Japan and an Interpol red notice has already been issued against her. —KG/JMA, GMA Integrated News