The Philippines Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and 11 other individuals.
According to a report by the Inquirer, this action is in connection with the ongoing cases surrounding the Lucky South 99 Corp, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub that was recently raided in Pampanga.
Harry Roque is a former Cabinet official under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, who facilitated the issuance of licenses to POGO hubs.
The ILBO does not constitute a prohibition on their departure, as it merely allows for the monitoring of the individuals’ travel itineraries and whereabouts. A separate Precautionary Hold Departure Order would need to be filed with the courts to prevent them from leaving the country.
In justifying the ILBO, the DOJ cited the “gravity of the possible charges” as well as the “wide media coverage and public attention this has gained.” The department believes there is a strong possibility that the individuals may attempt to leave the country to evade the legal processes.
Reacting to the DOJ’s move, Roque has described the ILBO as “plain harassment” and a “political witch hunt intended to silence” him. He claims the only evidence against him is that he accompanied one of the individuals to reschedule an arrears payment, and an uncorroborated organizational chart that he did not participate in preparing.
Previously, PAGCOR chief Alejandro H. Tengco disclosed that Roque appeared before his office in July 2023 to provide legal support for Cassandra Lee Ong, who sought assistance from PAGCOR regarding financial issues at Lucky South 99.
A company organizational chart including the documents submitted by Lucky South 99 for their initial license application, also identified Harry Roque as the “legal head.”
Ong – one of the people named in the ILBO – serves as the authorized representative of the sprawling POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
