Authorities in the Philippines have launched a nationwide manhunt for Harry Roque, former spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte, as a part of an investigation into unlawful Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Roque is accused of withholding vital paperwork associated to his involvement with Lucky South 99, a POGO hub, and his function as its alleged authorized head. Cited twice for contempt by the House of Representatives, Roque’s evasion has fueled suspicions of his deeper involvement in the offshore gaming scandal. Multiple legislation enforcement businesses at the moment are working collectively to find Roque, who’s believed to be in hiding.
The controversy facilities on alleged felony actions linked to POGOs, together with on-line scams and human trafficking. The authorities have found mass graves close to one such facility, intensifying the gravity of the case. Roque’s flight from justice provides additional weight to suspicions concerning his ties to the operations. The Philippine National Police, alongside the National Bureau of Investigation, are totally concerned in the manhunt.
Evidence Mounts Against Roque
Roque’s involvement in POGO-related crimes got here to mild after paperwork related to him had been discovered throughout a raid at Lucky South 99. The web site, infamous for human trafficking and different illicit actions, has raised purple flags amongst lawmakers, prompting a joint investigation by the Philippine House of Representatives. Roque’s connection to the power deepened when Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman Alejandro Tengco revealed that Roque pressured PAGCOR to grant licenses to questionable operations.
Despite his disappearance, Roque has remained lively on social media, branding the investigation a “kangaroo court” and denying all accusations. However, lawmakers like Robert Ace Barbers and Dan Fernandez argue that Roque’s flight signifies guilt. Both have emphasised that proof towards Roque is overwhelming, particularly given his refusal to cooperate with authorities.
POGO Scandal Grows
Roque shouldn’t be the one high-profile determine concerned in the POGO scandal. Former mayor Alice Guo, arrested earlier in Indonesia, has been extradited again to the Philippines. She faces expenses of human trafficking, cash laundering, and tax evasion. Another key determine, Huang Zhiyang, remains to be at giant, reportedly hiding in Hong Kong. Authorities, together with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), are concerned in the worldwide manhunt for Huang, underscoring the scandal’s huge scope.
The investigation into Roque and different POGO-related people sheds mild on the broader challenge of corruption and crime inside the offshore gaming sector in the Philippines. As the manhunt continues, the general public is inspired to report any info that would result in Roque’s seize.
Source:
Harry Roque on the run: PNP joins the hunt, globalnation.inquirer.web, September 14, 2024.
