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DOJ defers submission of counter-affidavits of Cassandra Ong, others in human trafficking complaint

Philippines | National

DOJ defers submission of counter-affidavits of Cassandra Ong, others in human trafficking complaint

By Jeffrey Damicog

Cassandra Ong (Mark Balmores/ MANILA BULLETIN)

A panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, Nov. 5, deferred the submission of the counter-affidavits of Katherine Cassandra Ong and her co-respondents in the non-bailable qualified trafficking in persons complaint.

The deferment was due to the manifestation that the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), the complainant, will be filing another supplemental complaint on Nov. 18.

Last Sept. 10, the PNP-CIDG filed before the DOJ the complaint which accused Ong and 53 other respondents of their reported involvement in qualified trafficking in persons allegedly committed by Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that was raided by authorities in Porac, Pampanga.

Later on Oct. 28, the PNP-CIDG filed a supplemental complaint that named former presidential spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque and two other persons as additional respondents.

Ong was present during the Nov. 5 scheduled preliminary investigation. She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

Lawyer Rafael Andrata, the legal counsel of Ong, told journalists that the respondents in the complaint will have to get copies and read first the supplemental complaint before submitting before the panel the counter-affidavits that will refute the allegations against them.

“So, most likely, we will be submitting our counter on the next setting [after Nov. 18],” he said.

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