FOLLOWING in her husband’s footsteps, the wife of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque now faces an arrest order from the House Quad Comm, which is investigating the couple’s alleged involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
The mega-panel, led by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, issued the arrest order for Mylah Roque on Friday after she failed to attend the probe for the third time despite multiple invitations.
Her husband, now considered by the committee a fugitive, is also subject to an arrest warrant and has reportedly gone into hiding.
Mylah Roque, a former trustee of Pag-IBIG Fund representing private employers, is implicated in signing a lease agreement with Chinese nationals tied to an illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
The Chinese nationals were arrested in July during a raid in Benguet on a property owned by PH2, a subsidiary of the Roque family’s Biancham Holdings.
Despite multiple summons, Mrs. Roque has been a no-show at every committee hearing, fueling suspicions surrounding her involvement.
The Quad Committee continues to pursue Harry Roque, his wife, and his former executive assistant, Alberto Rodulfo “AR” Dela Serna, for their alleged roles in illegal POGO activities.
Roque, who has been evading arrest, was earlier cited for contempt after refusing to submit critical documents, including his tax records and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth or SALN.
Rather than comply, Roque went into hiding, accusing Congress of “power tripping” and defiantly stating he would not surrender.
The joint panel—composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts—has uncovered “overwhelming circumstantial evidence” tying Roque to Lucky South 99, a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, raided in June.
The raid revealed a laundry list of criminal activities, including human trafficking, torture, prostitution, scam farmsand a porn operation.
Roque’s wealth reportedly ballooned during the POGO boom under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s administration, heightening suspicions of his deeper involvement in the illegal operations.
The committee’s investigation also focuses on Dela Serna, who admitted to having a joint bank account with Roque, raising questions about their financial ties and potential involvement in illegal POGO operations.
Their foreign trips during Roque’s time in government are under scrutiny to determine whether they were connected to POGO operations or other financial dealings.