Torre dares Roque: Come home, face raps in PH

Harry Roque —Photo from Harry Roque FB page

MANILA, Philippines — Newly designated Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III dared former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday to return to the country and face the human trafficking case filed against him.

Roque, who is seeking asylum in The Netherlands, was ordered arrested last month by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

He and over 50 others are being sought in connection with Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Porac, Pampanga, that authorities raided in June 2024, after workers said they were being held there against their will to engage in scamming activities.

READ: Another coaccused in trafficking case with Roque, Ong falls in Pampanga

“Harry Roque is a lawyer. He should face this case because this is not a case that you can bring to the streets or to rallies. You really have to come and submit yourself to the jurisdiction of the courts,” Torre said in a briefing after he took his oath as the new PNP chief before President Marcos in Camp Crame.

“I would like to say that this is a valid case pending before our courts … I think it is prudent for the other accused to just surrender themselves,” he added.

As the then director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Torre immediately launched tracker teams to bring in Roque, businesswoman Cassandra Ong and their 49 other co-accused in the human trafficking case after the Angeles City court ordered their arrest in May.

Torre also said he had requested the International Criminal Police to issue a red notice to arrest and repatriate Roque. /cb