House panels issue show cause orders against POGO officials, Roque aide

The four House committees investigating illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), drug trade, and human rights violations issued show cause orders against several individuals who did not attend a joint panel hearing in Bacolor, Pampanga on Friday.

Among those named are former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque's executive assistant Alberto Rodulfo Dela Serna and officials from Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., including Thelma Laranan and Yu Zheng Can.

The committees also issued show cause orders to key figures from Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. and Whirlwind Corp, as well as Bamban mayor Alice Leal Guo and other local officials involved in the POGO industry.

Roque cited a scheduled appearance at the Manila Regional Trial Court for his absence but may face further action if he is found to be absent from this court hearing.

The quad-committee has been tasked with investigating the complex criminal activities linked to POGOs, including illegal drug trade and extrajudicial killings related to the previous administration's war on drugs.