The government will seek the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and other diplomatic channels to enforce the court-issued arrest order against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who faces a non-bailable case of qualified human trafficking.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV announced this while urging Roque to return to the Philippines and face his charges.
Roque and several other accused have been ordered arrested by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC).
Also ordered arrested were 63 other accused in the case including Dennis L. Cunanan, the former director general of the defunct Technology Resource Center (TRC), and Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, one of the officers of Lucky South 99.
The case stemmed from the alleged criminal activities of Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga that has been shut down by the government.
Roque is in the Netherlands where he is seeking political asylum. He left the Philippines last year.
“As for Harry Roque, since he is abroad, the process will be to go through diplomatic channels,” said Clavano.
“He is not being singled out,” he assured
“We should look at this as a venue wherein he can clear his name if indeed he does believe in his innocence,” he also said.
As to Roque’s other co-accused, Clavano said “the prosecution may apply for a hold departure order given that a warrant is already issued for their arrest.”
“This is to ensure that the accused do not leave the country and face the charges of qualified human trafficking,” he explained.
At the same time, Clavano said that Roque is not facing political persecution, stressing that “this is a matter of prosecution for a crime in the Philippines.”
Earlier, published reports stated that Roque will seek all legal remedies to secure his liberty which has been under threat.
“The issuance of a warrant of arrest forms part of the unjust prosecution, which I will include to my application for asylum in the Netherlands as a victim of political persecution owing to my loyalty to the Dutertes,” Roque was quoted as saying.
TRACKER TEAMS DEPLOYED
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) mobilized tracker teams nationwide to capture Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 49 other accused.
Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III, CIDG director, said the tracker teams are already in place and deployed 24/7 since Thursday, May 15, as part of intensified “Oplan Pagtugis,” an operation against wanted persons and fugitives.
“As of early morning today [Friday, May 16], the tracker teams are tracking and pursuing the 51 accused subject of the arrest warrant across the country,” Torre said. (Jeffrey Damicog, Martin Sadongdong)
