Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has pushed back against the Philippine government’s move to seek an Interpol Red Notice for his arrest in connection with human trafficking charges.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, December 7, Roque outlined several reasons for rejecting the request.
“One, I am a protected bona fide asylum seeker under Dutch and European Union law, supported by official documentation from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service,” he said.
He also claimed that the non-bailable “syndicate trafficking” allegation is part of what he described as a ‘political retaliation by the current administration against staunch Duterte allies and vocal Marcos Jr. critics.’
He noted that these allegations are ‘simply fabricated, unsupported by evidence, and weaponized to discredit and silence’ him.
Roque also argued that the request of the Philippine government violates the Interpol Constitution’s Article 2 on Interpol’s human rights obligations and Article 3 strictly barring Interpol from engaging in matters that are “predominantly political in character.”
He added that Interpol jurisprudence bars the issuance of Red Notices against political opponents and asylum seekers.
“Having said this, I submitted my opposition to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files to deny the request of the Philippine government on the matter,” he added.
On November 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) cancelled the passport of Harry Roque and four others over their alleged links to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corporations.
Multiple reports claimed Roque was arrested in Europe. He, however, denied the arrest rumors by posting a photo of his flight ticket bound to Vienna, Austria.
On November 27, he clarified that he remains in the Netherlands because he was offloaded from a flight to Austria, citing he was ‘medically unfit to fly.’
Roque has been implicated in the POGO mess alongside Lucky South 99 representative, Cassandra Ong, who remains at large. Aside from them, there are more than 50 individuals charged with qualified human trafficking in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99.huuuy
