Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has urged his colleague, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, to return to the Philippines and confront the human trafficking charges against him rather than seeking asylum abroad.
In an interview with OneNews, Panelo dismissed Roque’s claims of being a victim of political persecution, emphasizing that the allegations against Roque are linked to his role as legal counsel for the Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pampanga, which was raided in June 2024.
“It’s hard to prove the political persecution claim that he is talking about because it came directly from his mouth during the congressional hearing,” Panelo said, pointing out that Roque himself admitted to his involvement with the POGO hub during the hearings conducted by the House of Representatives’ quad committee.
The court order for Roque’s arrest, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in Angeles City, is connected to allegations of human trafficking involving Lucky South 99. During the congressional hearings, Roque admitted to accompanying Katherine Cassandra Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land to the POGO hub, to settle fees with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
Panelo questioned Roque’s decision to seek asylum in the Netherlands, arguing that as a lawyer, Roque should understand the importance of facing charges rather than evading them.
“If I were him, since he is a lawyer, I would just return home and face the charges,” Panelo stressed. “The burden of proof rests on the prosecution. If he is innocent, that can be proven in court.”
Roque has maintained his innocence, claiming that the charges against him are part of a political ploy orchestrated by the Marcos administration due to his criticism of the government.
However, Panelo insisted that Roque’s continued absence might only fuel suspicions against him.
