Former PH presidential spokesperson refutes human trafficking charges, from Abu Dhabi

Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has refuted the human trafficking charges filed against him, albeit from Abu Dhabi.

According to official reports, Roque had his counter-affidavit notarized at the Abu Dhabi embassy via Apostille.

“It would appear that he had a document which was notarized pero dun siya sa (but he is in) Abu Dhabi. So, the panel opted to give the respondent a chance to call for a clarificatory hearing which would be scheduled anytime between now and the 16th of December,” indicated Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

Roque is facing human trafficking charges leveled by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on October 28^th, alleging involvement in operations of Lucky South 99 Corporation, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub raided in Pampanga.

Roque had tried to dismiss the complaint, saying that his involvement was “mere afterthought”.

“My inclusion, as well as the inclusion of Whirlwind Corporation and Lucky South 99 Outsourcing, Inc. were mere afterthoughts. The inclusion of the two corporations was intended to cure the deficiency of the evidence presented both in the original complaint and the supplemental complaint affidavit that utterly failed to identify any overt act of trafficking or qualified human trafficking that will implicate me,” claims Roque.

The former official defends his innocence, claiming there is no evidence of his participation in trafficking or other acts, nor a conspiracy.

He also defends his meeting with PAGCOR executives alongside Cassandra Ong.

According to his counter-affidavit “(T)hat meeting on 26 July 2023 was for a legitimate purpose, i.e., to discuss the arrears of Lucky South 99, and how PAGCOR was intending to deny the pending application of the said corporation for the renewal of its Internet Gaming License should the arrears be not settled”.

Philippine authorities stay that Roque appears to be staying in the UAE legally.