Tovic Salvador

PNP chief Torre presses Roque to return, face trafficking case

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17488416017742-Composite (4).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Newly-installed PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and Harry Roque. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File and Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Monday urged former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to face the qualified human trafficking case filed against him, as authorities consider coordinating with Interpol to facilitate his return to the country. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/15/court-orders-harry-roque-s-arrest-1608">Court orders Harry Roque’s arrest</a></div><p>“Abogado naman si Harry Roque, ‘di harapin niya. Ito na ‘yong kaso na hindi mo na puwedeng dalhin lang kalsada para mag-rally eh. You really have to come and submit yourself to the jurisdiction of the courts and make your case and give your arguments,” Torre told reporters in a media briefing at Camp Crame.</p><p>(Harry Roque is a lawyer, so he should face this. This isn’t the kind of case you can just take to the streets and rally about. You really have to appear before the court, present your arguments, and go through due process.) </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/29/dfa-denies-harry-roque-has-multiple-active-passports-1443">DFA denies Harry Roque has multiple active passports</a></div><p>Torre said two out of the 51 accused in connection with the raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Porac town, Pampanga have been arrested.</p><p>“Mahaba-haba pang labanan ‘to, mahaba-habang trabaho pa,” he said.</p><p>(This will be a long fight, a long process of work ahead.) </p><p>The PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), previously headed by Torre, has formed tracker teams to locate the remaining suspects in the qualified human trafficking case linked to the Porac POGO operation, which allegedly involves Roque and several associates. </p><p>Roquehas denied being the lawyer of the POGO Lucky South 99. He is currently abroad, and the Department of Justice is seeking to cancel his passport and request his inclusion in the Interpol Red Notice list.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/20/doj-says-roque-s-arrest-warrant-cannot-be-served-due-to-his-asylum-bid-1327">DOJ says Roque&#x27;s arrest warrant cannot be served due to his asylum bid</a></div><p>“Napakabigat ng kaso na ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan ordinaryo na parang isa o dalawa lang ang naging biktima diyan at hindi lang kung ano-anong kaso-kaso ‘yan. It is a very serious problem, it is a very serious case that they have committed,” Torre said.</p><p>(This is a very serious case. It’s not just one or two victims, and it’s not some minor offense. What they have committed is a grave violation.)</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8hTMUzfDK_M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III urged former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to face the qualified human trafficking case filed against him.</p>

PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III urged former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque to face the qualified human trafficking case filed against him.