DILG’s Remulla clarifies: No Interpol red notice yet vs Harry Roque

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla on Monday clarified that there is currently no Interpol red notice issued against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

“Si Harry naman ay cancelled na ang passport niya pero wala pa siyang red notice,” Remulla said in a press briefing.

(Harry’s passport has been cancelled but he still does not have a red notice.)

An Interpol red notice is an international alert issued through Interpol asking law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person who is wanted by a member country.

It is not an international arrest warrant. Instead, it functions more like a global “wanted person” notice.

Remulla also clarified his earlier remarks about a possible arrest on Roque, stressing that he was not referring to a personal action on his part.

“When I say ‘personally arrest,’ hindi ko sinabi ako ang aaresto. Wala naman akong authority dyan. So we will coordinate with the necessary authorities para gawin ‘yan,” he said.

(When I say ‘personally arrest,’ I didn’t say I’m the one making the arrest. I don’t have the authority to do that. We will coordinate with the necessary authorities.)

Roque, who is facing a human trafficking case linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga, earlier questioned Remulla’s statement that he would arrest him in Austria.

Remulla said that while he maintains a personal relationship with Roque, he will still perform his duties as Interior secretary.

“We have a very close relationship pero hindi puwedeng isakripisyo ang aking responsibilidad bilang secretary dahil sa aming pagkakaibigan,” he said.

(We have a very close relationship but I cannot set aside my responsibilities as secretary because of our friendship.)

“So procedures will be followed. And all proper methods will be done if an arrest is already warranted,” he added.

In May 2025, warrants of arrest were issued against Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others for qualified human trafficking in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

Roque has denied the allegations, calling them fabricated and politically motivated.

In November last year, the Philippine government requested Interpol to issue a red notice against him.

In the same month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed it had cancelled Roque’s passport.

In March last year, Roque said he applied for asylum in the Netherlands.

He later said he entered Europe using a Schengen visa issued by Austria and was advised by Dutch authorities to proceed to Austria under the EU’s Dublin procedure.—MCG, GMA News