Chinese man who is co-accused in Harry Roque trafficking case nabbed in Pampanga

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Tuesday said another co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong was arrested in Pampanga.

In a statement, the CIDG said the 44-year-old Chinese citizen identified as “Boss Terry” is the third person arrested out of the 51 accused in the qualified trafficking in persons case.

It was at 11:30 a.m. Monday when authorities conducted a manhunt operation against the accused by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by an Angeles City court on May 8. No bail was recommended.

The CIDG identified the suspect as an administrative officer of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., an alleged Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in the town of Porac supposedly linked to several illegal activities.

“Boss Terry” is accused of being involved in the torture of erring Chinese POGO employees, according to police.

On May 22, 2025, authorities nabbed a suspect identified as “Marlon” in Mabalacat City. He was identified as an operations officer of the security agency on duty when the alleged trafficking took place. 

A week later, another suspect, “Mariano,” a security guard, was arrested at the Clark Development Corporation Public Safety Division in Clark.

CIDG acting director Police Major General Robert Morico II commended the operating units involved for the arrest.

Authorities said operations will continue until all remaining accused are accounted for and arrested.

Roque has denied the accusations against him, saying he is not and has 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.

Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said Ong could have fled to China. — RF, GMA Integrated News