PH requests Interpol red notice for Harry Roque over trafficking raps

The Philippine government, through the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), has requested Interpol to issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

This request is in connection with charges of qualified human trafficking and inciting to sedition filed against Roque, who is accused of helping secure an operating license for the POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

Arrest warrants were previously issued against Roque and others in May for qualified human trafficking, a non-bailable offense.

Evidence of torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking was discovered at the Lucky South 99 site, leading to the rescue of at least 158 foreign employees.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed and placed intelligence and tracker teams on standby, ready to act if Interpol approves the red notice.

Roque denies all allegations and is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, which complicates the red notice process.