The Philippine National Police (PNP) has joined the search for former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who has been ordered arrested after being cited in contempt by the House of Representatives’ quad committee for failing to submit documents related to his wealth, which is allegedly linked to illegal POGO operations.
Roque did not fulfill his promise to submit the necessary documents and also failed to attend the committee’s hearings. On Friday, authorities attempted to serve the arrest warrant at Roque’s law firm in Antel Corporation Centre, Makati City, but it was reportedly refused by his staff, and Roque was not found at the location.
Roque was cited in contempt for failing to provide copies of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), records of Biancham Holdings—owned by his family—and proof of property sales in Parañaque City, which he claimed were the source of his sudden wealth increase.
Following the contempt citation, the committee issued an arrest order against Roque. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, stated that there is evidence linking Roque to illegal POGO operations.
Roque’s refusal to cooperate with the quad committee has fueled suspicions that he may be hiding something and that he indeed has connections to the illegal POGO business.
Previously, Roque accused the quad committee of being a “kangaroo court” and declared that he would no longer cooperate. Barbers challenged Roque to face the hearings rather than respond via social media.
The involvement of the PNP in the search for Roque underscores the seriousness of the investigation being conducted by the quad committee. The public has been urged to assist in locating Roque.
It is also recalled that Roque admitted to accompanying Katherine Cassandra Ong to PAGCOR to resolve issues with the Lucky South 99 POGO hub, though he denied being the lawyer of Lucky South 99, which was recently raided by authorities.