The Philippine government has sought an Interpol red notice for former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque over allegations of qualified human trafficking linked to a POGO operation. The request targets Roque's alleged involvement with the Lucky South 99 facility, which was raided last year. Roque, currently abroad, has denied any connection to the firm.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed on November 23, 2025, that it has requested a red notice from Interpol for Harry Roque, the former spokesperson under President Rodrigo Duterte. Winston Casio, PAOCC spokesperson, shared this update via Viber message to Philstar.com and elaborated in a DZBB interview that the notice pertains to qualified human trafficking charges.
An Interpol red notice alerts law enforcement in member countries to locate and provisionally arrest individuals for extradition purposes, though it does not constitute an international arrest warrant. The request's submission date remains unconfirmed, with further details pending.
This development stems from arrest warrants issued on May 15, 2025, by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court, Branch 118, against 50 people, including Roque and Cassandra Ong of Lucky South 99. The POGO hub was raided on June 5, 2024, amid suspicions of human trafficking. Prosecutors accuse Roque of a central role in obtaining the facility's operating license and serving as head of its legal department during a failed reapplication to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Roque has rejected these claims, stating he has never acted as legal counsel for any illegal POGO or represented Lucky South 99. He left the Philippines on December 3, 2024, and has not yet commented on the red notice request. Authorities continue to pursue the case as part of broader efforts against illicit POGO activities.