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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Umuwi ka na Harry': Makabayan tells Roque to face human trafficking raps in Philippines

'Umuwi ka na Harry': Makabayan tells Roque to face human trafficking raps in Philippines

Published Apr 30, 2025 04:50 am

At A Glance

  • ACT Teachers Party-list of the militant Makabayan bloc has advised former presidential spokesperson, lawyer Harry Roque to finally come home so he could face the qualified human trafficking charges filed against him in connection with the illegal operations of the POGO hub Lucky South 99 Corp. in Porac, Pampanga.

Harry Roque (Facebook Live)Harry Roque (Screenshot from Facebook Live)

ACT Teachers Party-list of the militant Makabayan bloc has advised former presidential spokesperson, lawyer Harry Roque to finally come home so he could face the qualified human trafficking charges filed against him in connection with the illegal operations of the POGO hub Lucky South 99 Corp. in Porac, Pampanga.

Senatorial aspirant ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro and House nominee Antonio Tinio underscored how serious the pro-Duterte personality's charges were.

POGO stands for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). They've been deemed illegal in the Philippines due to the glut of criminal activities that have been linked to them.

“The trafficking charges filed by the Department of Justice are serious, involving allegations of torture, forced labor, and illegal detention of victims. No amount of political spin can erase the gravity of these accusations,” Castro said.

“Kung talagang wala siyang kasalanan, dapat harapin ni Atty. Roque ang kaso at linisin ang kanyang pangalan sa korte, hindi sa Netherlands (If he truly isn't guilty. Atty. Roque should face the case and clear his name in court, not in the Netherlands),” she noted.

The Department of Justice has confirmed that Roque, along with more than 40 others, was formally charged before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court for qualified human trafficking—a non-bailable offense. Roque is currently in the Netherlands seeking asylum and claiming political persecution due to his connections to the Duterte camp.

“Let us be clear: this is not about politics. Human trafficking is a heinous crime. This is about accountability for the exploitation of vulnerable people,” Tinio, a former congressman, said.

“Atty. Roque must stop hiding behind legal rhetoric and face the judicial process. Kung inosente siya, ang korte mismo ang magsasabi niyan (it's the court itself that will declare his innocence, if indeed he is),” he stressed.

“The justice system must not be selective. The powerful and connected should not be allowed to flee accountability. His flight to the Netherlands is not an act of courage or principle—it is an evasion of justice," added Tinio.

The Makabayan bloc has long opposed the proliferation of POGOs, which have been repeatedly linked to criminal syndicates and human rights abuses, including illegal detention, sexual exploitation, and cyber scam operations.

“Ang POGO ay naging pugad ng karahasan at pagsasamantala. Dapat lang na papanagutin ang mga nasa likod nito, kahit pa sila ay dating opisyal ng gobyerno (POGO has become a den of violence and exploitation. Those responsible must be held accountable, even if they are former government officials),” Castro added.

She said that Roque’s role as legal counsel and his alleged connections within Lucky South 99 Corp. warrant thorough scrutiny.

Related Tags

Makabayan Matalinong boto 2025 Human trafficking POGO Harry Roque
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