Harry Roque’s Growing Wealth Lands Him on POGO Investigation Hot List

Mylah Roque, Harry Roque’s wife, and Yun Wan, a Chinese woman, signed a lease on a family-owned property in Tuba, Benguet, on January 15, 2024.

Harry Roque, former spokesperson for President Duterte during the period when Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) were introduced, stated that Yun Wan had persistently sought to rent the house. Roque initially resisted, as he preferred to use it during holidays, but eventually agreed.

Six months later, Chinese fugitive Sun Liming, Yun Wan’s partner, was found living in the house. Sun is wanted in China on a red notice for defrauding 180,000 people of CNY1.6 billion (P12 billion) through an online investment scam.

This incident brought Roque further into focus during POGO investigations. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) also discovered that his former executive assistant, AR dela Serna, had briefly stayed at the Lucky South 99 POGO compound, a site linked to trafficking and torture in Porac, Pampanga.

Dela Serna disclosed that he and Roque had a joint bank account and asserted that Roque’s contacts allowed him to live at the estate without paying rent.

As a result, the House of Representatives’ quad committee—which consists of the committees on hazardous substances, public accounts, public order and safety, and human rights—is currently investigating Roque.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that the Philippine National Police are assisting the House in locating Roque around the clock.

Roque, in response, announced plans to contest the warrant at the Supreme Court, saying on September 12 that he would rely on the judiciary for his freedom. according to a report by Rappler.

The Tuba property is owned by PH2LOT37 Pinewood Holdings Inc., one of Roque’s companies, which in turn is owned by Biancham Holdings and Tradings Inc., named after his children. Roque and his wife established these companies with modest capital, but their finances surged in 2018.

In 2017, PH2 had only P745,000 in cash and Biancham P1.5 million. In 2018, PH2’s cash flow was P16 million, whereas Biancham’s was P125 million. This significant financial growth has raised concerns for the House committee, which is investigating the source of these funds.

During an August 22 hearing, Roque attributed the increase in his wealth to the sale of a family property in Multinational Village, Parañaque, for P216 million. He claimed the proceeds were invested in First Bataan and denied any connection to POGO operations.

Roque, who had a net worth of P119.9 million in 2020, saw a 21% increase in his wealth since 2017, coinciding with the rise of POGOs in the country. This period, marked by heightened POGO activity, has further intensified scrutiny from lawmakers.

Read related article: Manhunt Launched for Harry Roque; Quad-Comm Head Claims Roque “Benefited From Lucky South 99”