(May 27, 2025) – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is confident that Interpol will soon issue a red notice against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who is facing a human trafficking case in the Philippines in relation to illegal offshore gaming operations.
“They are still in the process of evaluating the request. Pero we are very confident… routine naman ‘yan at napakasimpleng case lang ‘yan… because there’s no question na meron ng valid warrant from the Philippine court,” said CIDG Director Major General Nicolas Torre in an interview with One Balita Pilipinas today.
An Interpol red notice is a formal request to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. It is not an international arrest warrant.
The CIDG expects the Interpol approval to come “anytime,” noting that the Department of Foreign Affairs has already moved to cancel Roque’s passport.
Although the CIDG has not received confirmation on the passport’s cancellation, Torre noted that the move is “one of the priorities” to bring the former Palace official back to the country.
Roque is reportedly seeking asylum in the Netherlands, claiming he is a victim of political persecution. The CIDG though dismissed this claim.
“Aba’y abogado siya. Naiintindihan niya ‘yan kung ano ang political persecution. Hindi siya pini-persecute ng bansa natin kundi siya ay hinahabol sa kanyang mga ginawa na may mga complainant,” Torre said, citing the recovery of human trafficking victims allegedly tortured in offshore gambling operations linked to Roque.
On how the Interpol red notice would work, the CIDG explained: “Interpol is a platform of operation ng mga bansang miyembro niyan. They have an agreement to aid one another in cases like this such as extradition of wanted persons or fugitives.”
Asked whether Interpol must wait for the outcome of Roque’s asylum plea before acting, the CIDG said this lies with the Netherlands’ internal process but expressed confidence that Dutch authorities will see the merits of the human trafficking case against the former Palace official.
“We just would like to emphasize na si Harry Roque ay nahaharap sa isang heinous crime dito sa bansang Pilipinas. I just don’t know if makumbinse niya ang ibang bansa na siya ay inosente. I really doubt it,” Torre said.
Despite uncertainties, the CIDG reiterated that the Philippines is exhausting all legal and formal channels to bring Roque back to face justice.
“Sa gobyerno po ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, tayo ay stewards of the rule of law, sumusunod tayo sa sistema ng batas,” Torre said.
(AGD)
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