No red notice yet, DOJ eyeing ‘best course of action’ vs Harry Roque

Department of Justice | INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it is still in the “process of identifying the best course of action” against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who is in hiding overseas amid human trafficking charges.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano made the pronouncement when asked if the department has already tapped the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a red notice against Roque.

Clavano, however, said that the DOJ is still “preparing the documents” required to request for a red notice from the Interpol.

“Yet, over and beyond Interpol, and upon consultation with the international law experts in the DOJ, there are many more options to consider,” said Clavano in a Viber message to reporters.

“Thus, the DOJ is in the process of identifying the best course of action,” he added.

READ: DOJ to exhaust all remedies to bring Harry Roque home to face charges

According to Clavano, the DOJ continues to intend to give justice to the victims of the qualified trafficking case against Roque.

All this developed after an arrest warrant was issued against Roque (and several other accused including Cassandra Ong) for violation of Section 4(1), in relation to Section 6 (c) of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

The warrant was based on a qualified human trafficking case filed by the Department of Justice against Roque and several others for their alleged involvement in the operations of scam hub Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

The DOJ noted Roque’s participation was not just limited to being a lawyer for Whirlwind Corporation—the company that leased land to Lucky South 99—but was also the representative of the Pogo. / MR