Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday called on former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and face the charges filed against him, emphasizing that evading the law is unbecoming of a legal professional.
“Harry Roque must be compelled to return to the Philippines. If he doesn’t, not only would he be evading an arrest order from Congress, he would also be defying a lawful order from a court,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Her remarks come after arrest orders were issued for Roque, Cassie Li Ong, and several others allegedly connected to the controversial Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. The compound has been linked to serious crimes, including human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and money laundering.
“Abogado siya kaya alam niya na mali ang ginagawa niyang pag-iwas sa batas,” Hontiveros added, stressing that as a lawyer, Roque should know better than to avoid legal accountability.
The senator also expressed alarm over Roque’s ties to individuals previously flagged during Senate investigations. She cited the arrest of Duanren Wu—identified as the godfather of Ong—who was linked to Li Duan Wang, a Chinese junket operator allegedly involved in attempts to acquire Filipino citizenship through questionable means.
“These dubious personalities seem to be interconnected. It is crucial that those found guilty are held accountable,” Hontiveros said, vowing continued vigilance as the Senate pursues the investigation into illegal POGO operations and associated crimes.