Former Philippine presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has yet to submit his challenge to the human trafficking charges filed against him linked to POGO operation Lucky South 99.
According to reports, Roque has yet to file a counter-affidavit with the Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors handling his case.
Charges were filed against Roque and two others for their alleged involvement in the POGO operation in Porac, Pampanga. Roque joins over 50 others involved in the human trafficking complaint.
He is believed to have been the lawyer for the POGO operation, a claim he denies.
Roque had at first expressed willingness to participate in the DOJ’s preliminary investigation but has since failed to appear or send representatives to aid in the investigation.
The charges against Roque were filed in late October by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
They claim that Roque had “active participation in the furtherance of the illegal activity” of the POGO” and that Roque had met with Lucky South 99 representatives and had follow-ups with a PAGCOR official regarding the renewal of the POGO’s license.
If Roque fails to participate in the investigation, “the complaint will be resolved on the basis […] the evidence annexed to the complaint,” according to Department of Justice Prosecutor Eugene Yusi, quoted by various news outlets.
While the prosecutor assured that Roque has been notified of the investigation and the complaint, Roque claims he has not yet received a copy of it and that he had not received any summons from the Department of Justice.