The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 157 has approved the government’s request to cancel the passports of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra Li Ong, Ronelyn Baterna and Dennis Cunanan, after they were charged with illegal POGO operations, human trafficking and racketeering.

The petition, filed by the Department of Justice (DoJ), follows months of investigation into the Lucky South 99 scam hub in Porac, Pampanga — believed to be the center of a sprawling network tied to cybercrime, trafficking and illicit gambling linked to POGO syndicates. All four now have outstanding arrest warrants and are officially considered fugitives.

Under the Philippine Passport Act (RA 11983), passports can be revoked for individuals facing serious criminal charges, especially fugitives abroad. The Pasig court’s late-November ruling marks one of the most assertive uses of the new law.

Roque, who reportedly sought asylum in the Netherlands, now risks being classified as an undocumented alien if his application is denied. The DoJ is also coordinating with Interpol for a Red Notice, which would allow foreign governments to arrest him and the other suspects.