Authorities Raid Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s Alleged House
HARRY ROQUE – Authorities raided the suspected residence of the former presidential spokesperson at Pinewoods Golf and Country Club in Tuba, Benguet.
During the operation, two Chinese nationals were apprehended. These individuals are suspected of being linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). The operation was carried out by a combined force from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The intended target, a fugitive Chinese national, was not found at the raided location. The two detained Chinese nationals have been taken to the Bureau of Immigration and will face deportation proceedings. As of now, Harry Roque has not issued any statement regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Roque attended a Senate investigation into the recent raids on POGO hubs in Luzon. Despite having informed the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality last week that he could not attend due to a prior court hearing, Roque appeared at the inquiry.
He had previously sent a letter explaining his absence because of a scheduled court cross-examination as a private prosecutor. Roque’s presence was notable because Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman Alejandro Tengco had alleged that Roque had assisted Lucky South 99, a POGO firm recently raided in Porac, Pampanga, with its license reapplication and settlement of arrears.
Roque, who served as spokesperson during the Duterte administration, was no longer a public official at the time of the hearing. He has denied being a legal counsel for any illegal POGO operation, including Lucky South 99. However, Tengco claimed that Roque was listed as the legal head in Lucky South 99’s license reapplication documents. Roque has promised to reveal the true protectors of POGOs in the Philippines at the upcoming Senate hearing.