DOJ, inihayag pagnanais na humingi tulong sa Interpol para “Red Notice” laban kay Atty. Harry Roque

- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has expressed its desire to seek the help of the Interpol and have a “Red Notice” issued against Atty. Harry Roque

- A “Red Notice” is a request issued by Interpol to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate a person wanted by a country

- It can be recalled that a Pampanga Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant of arrest against Atty. Roque, Cassandra Ong, and several others for qualified human traff1cking charges

- The former spokesperson is currently abroad and has stated his intention to apply for asylum, invoking the principle of non-refoulement

The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed it is actively pursuing an Interpol “Red Notice” against former presidential spokesperson and human rights lawyer Atty. Harry Roque, who is currently facing qualified human traff1cking charges in the Philippines.

This development marks a significant step in the government's efforts to bring Roque, who is currently abroad, back to the country to face legal proceedings.

Justice Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano confirmed on Tuesday, May 20, that the DOJ is in the process of finalizing the necessary documentation for the Interpol request.

He emphasized that while an Interpol Red Notice is a key tool, the DOJ is also exploring various other diplomatic and legal avenues in consultation with international law experts to determine the most effective course of action.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty, in a separate media interview, indicated the department's aim to formally file the request with Interpol as early as next week, expressing optimism for a swift response.

Ty elaborated that the request would be routed through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) managing all official communications related to the matter.

An Interpol Red Notice serves as an international alert, a request to law enforcement agencies in Interpol member countries to locate and provisionally arrest an individual pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

It is crucial to note that while powerful, it is not an international arrest warrant in itself.

The Philippines has previously leveraged Interpol’s network, notably in the case of suspended lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was located in Timor-Leste, although his extradition was ultimately denied by a Timor-Leste court.

The charges against Roque, filed by the DOJ before an Angeles City court, stem from his alleged involvement in the operations of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

This particular POGO facility was the subject of a raid in June 2024, following allegations of torture, human traff1cking, and illegal scamming activities.

Reports indicate that Roque was listed as a legal officer for Lucky South 99 in its application for license renewal and allegedly facilitated meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Workers rescued from the facility, including Chinese nationals, have reportedly claimed being kidnapped, held against their will, and forced into online scam operations.

Roque had previously gone into hiding after the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee issued an arrest warrant against him for contempt, citing his failure to provide documents related to his alleged sudden accumulation of wealth.

He later reappeared on March 14, observed with Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robin Padilla outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) building in The Hague, Netherlands.

Since then, Roque has publicly stated his intention to apply for asylum in the Netherlands, invoking the principle of non-refoulement, which generally prohibits the return of individuals to a country where they would face persecution or serious harm.

However, Undersecretary Ty countered this assertion, clarifying that the principle of non-refoulement is limited to serious non-political crimes.

“That’s one of the things that the Philippines will point out when we write our official communication to The Hague on this issue. Because that’s one of the things that Secretary Remulla directed us to do, is that upon issuance of the warrant for arrest, we have to put on record that this is a case of prosecution. Prosecution for a non-political crime,” Ty stated.

Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Roque’s claims of political persecution are unfounded.

Panelo, in an interview, indicated that Roque’s past statements and involvement seem to contradict such claims, advising his former colleague to return to the Philippines and face the charges.

The move to seek an Interpol Red Notice signifies the Philippine government’s commitment to pursuing legal accountability for individuals facing serious criminal charges, regardless of their current location or status.

Harry Roque is a Filipino lawyer and politician. He was the presidential spokesperson during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Before entering politics, he used to be a professor in law school.

After the warrant of his arrest was reported by several major dailies and TV networks, Atty. Roque immediately came out with a statement. In his statement, the former presidential spokesperson claims he is a victim of political persecution. He asserted that the charges are politically motivated due to his loyalty to former President Duterte and seeks asylum in the Netherlands. It can be recalled the Angeles City RTC found probable cause to charge Roque and his co-accused with non-bailable violations of the Anti-Traff1cking in Persons Act of 2003, linked to the Lucky South 99 POGO hub.

It can be recalled that Atty. Roque, Cassandra Ong, and others, were ordered arrested by a Pampanga court. Angeles City RTC Branch 118 recently issued an arrest warrant for the said personalities for a human traff1cking case. The charges against Roque and the others stem from their alleged involvement with Lucky South 99 in Porac. The court found probable cause for violations of the Anti-Traff1cking in Persons Act of 2003, a non-bailable offense.

Source: KAMI.com.gh