Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him by a Regional Trial Court in Angeles City, Philippines.

The court issued the warrant on May 8, 2023, citing probable cause for Roque's involvement in non-bailable human trafficking charges linked to activities surrounding Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Senator Risa Hontiveros has demanded that Roque be compelled to return to the Philippines, emphasizing that failure to do so would amount to evading both an arrest order from Congress and lawful court instructions.

Hontiveros, who has been a leading figure in investigating alleged illegal actions by POGOs, remarks that Roque, as a lawyer, should recognize the gravity of evading legal responsibilities.

The arrest warrant extends to Cassandra Ong, who previously worked as an incorporator of the real estate firm Whirlwind Corp. and served as an authorized representative of Lucky South 99, a now-defunct POGO in Porac, Pampanga.

Hontiveros characterized the operations at the Lucky South 99 hub as among the most significant scam operations in the nation.

Evidence presented by prosecutors alleges that Roque turned a blind eye to criminal activities associated with Lucky South 99, which he allegedly represented legally.

Investigations led by the House Quad Committee into POGOs have indicated that Roque assisted in facilitating the renewal of the gaming license of Lucky South 99, while the Department of Justice corroborated claims that he provided legal counsel to both Whirlwind Corp. and Lucky South 99.

Harry Roque has refuted these claims, stating that his involvement was limited to assisting Ong with settling debts related to licensing with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the regulatory body overseeing gaming licenses in the Philippines.

Currently in the Netherlands, Roque is reportedly supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity.

Roque is also seeking political asylum in the country.

Cassandra Ong is reportedly connected to Alice Guo, a dismissed mayor linked to POGO operations through Zun Yuan Technology Inc., which Guo had authorized to operate.

Allegations suggest that the financial underpinning of these gambling operations may involve Lyu Dong.

Hontiveros noted that Ong’s uncle, Duanren Wu, has also had an arrest warrant issued due to his connections with these entities, further underscoring the intricate network involved in these operations.

During her tenure as chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, Hontiveros directed a comprehensive inquiry into POGOs that spanned 19 months, from 2023 to 2024. The hearings revealed significant findings tied to human trafficking, corruption, and other illicit activities associated with POGOs.

This investigation has provided momentum for legislative reforms and culminated in a nationwide ban on POGOs, officially announced by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his State of the Nation Address in July 2024. The ban was formalized through Executive Order No. 74 in December 2024, spurred by alarming reports of human trafficking, kidnapping, and various other crimes flagged within these operations.