By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter
A REGIONAL Trial Court in Angeles City issued an arrest warrant against a former spokesman of Rodrigo R. Duterte, and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman among others over their alleged involvement in illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Porac, Pampanga.
Ex-Spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque and Katherine Cassandra Li Ong were slapped with a non-bailable trafficking charge in a May 8 order signed by Presiding Judge Rene E. Reyes.
“After careful evaluation of the 11 separate informations, the resolution, and the supporting documents attached to each and every case record, this Court finds probable cause to hold all the aforenamed accused for trial for the offenses for which they are respectively charged,” the order read.
The Court ordered the arrest of the so-called “godfather” and “big boss,” Duanren Wu, who has been in hiding since congressional hearings began.
The charges arise from a raid on a POGO hub in Porac last year, which prosecutors alleged to have been operating as a large-scale scam farm involved in human trafficking.
Mr. Roque admitted to representing real estate firm Whirlwind, the company had leased property to the Lucky South 99 POGO, in an ejectment case.
He also acknowledged assisting his client, Ms. Ong, in arranging meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to facilitate the renewal of the POGO license. However, he insisted that these actions did not constitute involvement in human trafficking.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Roque said he will cite the arrest orders in his application for asylum in the Netherlands.
“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,” he said.
“I will seek all available legal remedies to secure my life and liberty which are currently under threat.”
Meanwhile, Ferdinand S. Topacio, a lawyer for Ms. Ong, did not immediately respond to a similar message.
