Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was formally charged with qualified human trafficking — a non-bailable offense — on Monday, April 28, at the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC). While an arrest warrant has not yet been issued, the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeks to block Roque’s application for asylum in the Netherlands.
In a Facebook livestream on Tuesday afternoon, April 29, Roque continued to deny accusations of human trafficking, calling the charges a perversion of the country’s justice system and claiming that he was being persecuted as an ally to former President Rodrigo Duterte. “Isa pa sa mga karagdagang kasalanan ng Marcos administration ang pambababoy ng ating criminal justice system,” he said.
The DOJ filed the human trafficking charges against Roque and 54 others allegedly connected to real estate firm Whirlwind Corporation and Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) Lucky South 99, including Whirlwind incorporator Cassandra Ong.
According to a statement released by Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio in a Viber group, the case involves “syndicated trafficking on a large scale, with three or more persons working in conspiracy.”
Ong faces one count of organizing under Section 4(l) of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, which prohibits organizing, providing financial support, or directing other persons to commit acts of trafficking. “She is alleged to have worked with her godfather and financier Duanren Wu in establishing the illegal operations,” PAOCC said. Wu is reportedly a wanted fugitive in China.
The anti-organized crime commission added that Roque is accused of “leveraging his legal expertise to facilitate illegal operations.”
“Specifically, Roque is charged with assisting in corporation renewals and providing protection from prosecution while knowing the illicit nature of the activities [of Whirlwind and Lucky South 99].”
All 55 associates of the two companies face a total of ten counts of labor trafficking. According to PAOCC, the victims claimed they were subjected to confinement and forced labor in inhumane conditions, severe physical harm and torture, confiscation of passports and communication devices, and frequent threats if workers failed to meet labor quotas or attempted escape.
Extradition Arrangements
On Tuesday, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla instructed him to notify the Dutch government of Roque’s case and contest his bid for asylum in the Netherlands.
Roque was confirmed to have left the country in December 2024, flying to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid contempt citations from the House of Representatives for failing to appear in inquiries regarding the illegal activities of POGOs.
In March 2025, he revealed that he had applied for asylum in the Netherlands during his visit to Duterte, who awaits trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague for crimes against humanity related to the war on drugs.
The Philippines and the Netherlands do not have an extradition treaty, but the DOJ said it plans to request the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to put Roque on a red notice and facilitate his arrest once a warrant is issued.
