NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Harry Roque Cries Political Persecution After Court Orders Arrest Over Trafficking Case
Photo credit: Congress PH
Things just got more intense for former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
On Thursday, May 15, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that a court in Angeles City, Pampanga issued an arrest warrant against Roque and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong. The charges? Qualified trafficking in persons—a serious criminal case under Philippine law.
This sudden legal move has stirred up major buzz, especially after Roque released a strong statement from abroad.
Roque insists that the case is part of what he calls “unjust prosecution” and even linked it to politics. He claims the Marcos administration is targeting him simply because of his ties to the Duterte family. He also dropped a bombshell: he's planning to apply for asylum in The Netherlands.
“I am a victim of political persecution,” Roque said in a statement. “This is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum.”
He added that he will use all legal avenues available to protect his life and liberty, which he believes are now under threat.
As of now, Cassandra Ong has yet to release any public comment regarding the charges or the arrest order.
Meanwhile, the DOJ hasn’t given full details on the specifics of the trafficking case, but the fact that a court issued a warrant means the case has likely passed through preliminary investigation and found enough basis to proceed.
On Thursday, May 15, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that a court in Angeles City, Pampanga issued an arrest warrant against Roque and Filipino-Chinese businesswoman Cassandra Ong. The charges? Qualified trafficking in persons—a serious criminal case under Philippine law.
This sudden legal move has stirred up major buzz, especially after Roque released a strong statement from abroad.
Roque insists that the case is part of what he calls “unjust prosecution” and even linked it to politics. He claims the Marcos administration is targeting him simply because of his ties to the Duterte family. He also dropped a bombshell: he's planning to apply for asylum in The Netherlands.
“I am a victim of political persecution,” Roque said in a statement. “This is not flight as evidence of guilt but the exercise of a human right to asylum.”
He added that he will use all legal avenues available to protect his life and liberty, which he believes are now under threat.
As of now, Cassandra Ong has yet to release any public comment regarding the charges or the arrest order.
Meanwhile, the DOJ hasn’t given full details on the specifics of the trafficking case, but the fact that a court issued a warrant means the case has likely passed through preliminary investigation and found enough basis to proceed.
May 15, 2025
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