Malacañang confirmed that Cassandra Li Ong, co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in qualified human trafficking cases, is still in the country — and urged the public to report any information on her whereabouts to authorities.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 2, that records from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) show Ong remains in the Philippines. “Humingi po tayo ng response mula sa DILG at ang sabi po ay sa kasalukuyan, base sa kanilang records nasa Pilipinas pa po si Ms. Cassandra Ong, at patuloy pa rin po ang paghahanap sa kanya dahil nga siya po ay tinatawag na fugitive dahil may warrant of arrest na po,” Castro explained.
The Palace official called on the public to report to authorities in case they spot Ong.
“So, kung sinuman din po sa mga kababayan natin ang makakakita kay Cassandra Ong ipagbigay-alam din po agad sa ating law enforcement agencies para po magampanan din po ang pagsi-serve ng warrant of arrest sa kanya,” Castro said.
Asked if the Palace would also make the same appeal made by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on former lawmaker Zaldy Co to the public — to capture a photo of her in case of sighting, Castro said any kind of help would be welcome, small or big.
“Sa lahat ng mga pagkakataon, sa lahat nang maaaring gawing paraan; maliit, malaki na tulong makakatulong po iyan sa gobyerno para po mahanap ang mga fugitives,” Castro said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has offered a P1 million reward for information that will lead to the arrest of Ong.
On Nov. 24, the Pasig City RTC ordered the cancellation of the passports of Ong, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and others.
Last May, the trial court issued an arrest warrant against them for qualified human trafficking charges involving alleged criminal activities of Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga that has been shut down by the government.
Ong has been tagged as the authorized representative of Lucky South 99 while Roque was named as the firm’s lawyer. (Betheena Unite)
