DOJ confirms human trafficking charges against former Philippine presidential spokesperson

Harry Roque Jr. is accused of alleged links to offshore gaming operation Lucky South 99.

The Philippines.- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed the filing of human trafficking charges against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. and others. They are accused of alleged links to Lucky South 99, an offshore gaming operation that was raided in Porac, Pampanga.

Justice undersecretary Nicholas Ty said that there are over 40 people involved in the case, including Roque, Cassandra Ong, Dennis Cunanan, and Duanren Wu. He says Roque admitted to being a lawyer for Whirlwind, the company that leased its property to Lucky South 99.

Ty said: “Even if he claimed that he was only a lawyer for Whirlwind, he went to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to follow up on the application of Lucky South 99 for its gambling licence renewal. So, clearly he is involved in organising the illegal offshore gaming operator where the human trafficking occurred.”

The DOJ is waiting for arrest warrants to be issued. He said that those who are not in the country could be considered fugitives and that the DOJ will notify the government of the Netherlands, where Roque is seeking political asylum. The DOJ is also waiting for a court decision on whether to move cases to Pasig.

Roque claims the charges against him are “politically motivated”. He previously said there was no evidence of his involvement in human trafficking and that he broke no laws by accompanying Ong to a meeting with PAGCOR executives.