PNP on standby as government seeks Interpol Red Notice for Harry Roque

The intelligence and tracker teams of the Philippine National Police (PNP), led by Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., are on standby and closely monitoring developments after the government requested an Interpol Red Notice against former presidential spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque.

PLTGEN Nartatez assured the public that the agency is prepared to comply with national and international protocols while ensuring due process and the protection of the rights of all those involved.

“The PNP’s role is to coordinate closely with our Interpol National Central Bureau. We will be the primary enforcement arm should the notice be approved. We ensure that all police units nationwide are alerted and prepared to act. At this point, we are monitoring and we’re waiting for official communication from the proper agencies,” Nartatez said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Over the weekend, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced that the government had requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Roque for alleged qualified human trafficking.

A Red Notice is issued to all Interpol member countries to locate and provisionally arrest a person wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence, based on a valid national arrest warrant.

The request follows arrest warrants issued last May against Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others in connection with the alleged Lucky South 99 POGO scam hub in Porac, Pampanga, where 158 foreign workers were reportedly rescued from torture, kidnapping and sex trafficking.

Roque is reportedly linked to the acquisition of the hub’s operating license and was said to have served as head of its legal department during the reapplication process, which was later denied by PAGCOR. He has denied all allegations and is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands.

“Once a Red Notice is approved, all ground units will be ready to act immediately. We always ensure full compliance with legal procedures and respect for human rights,” Nartatez said.

The government currently has a Yellow Notice for Roque, allowing Interpol to provide status and location updates on him.

PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston John Casio, in a forum on Saturday, emphasized that there is no “political prosecution” being pursued against Roque. He noted that in the early stages of the investigation, when Roque’s name first emerged, he told the media that “there was no legal basis to prosecute him.”

This reportedly changed after PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco and Atty. Jessa Hernandez disclosed that Roque went to PAGCOR to appeal.

“There is no political prosecution in that; in fact, we admit that from the start we can’t file a case against him because there is no evidence. However, when he talked in the Congress, and Mr. Tengco and Jessa Hernandez went out, the picture changed,” Casio stated.

In preparation, the PNP has tasked its intelligence and tracker teams to maintain continuous coordination with the Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila.

The agency said it will utilize all established communication channels through the NCB to relay information to Interpol member countries where Roque has reportedly been seen, allowing for immediate coordination for provisional arrest and possible deportation or extradition.