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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cassandra Ong is in PH—Palace

Cassandra Ong is in PH—Palace

Published Dec 2, 2025 01:38 pm
Malacañang revealed that Cassandra Li Ong, one of the co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in qualified human trafficking cases, is currently in the Philippines.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro disclosed the whereabouts of Ong during a briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
"[H]umingi 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 (We requested a response from the DILG and they said that at present, based on their records, Ms. Cassandra Ong is still in the Philippines, and the search for her is ongoing because she is considered a fugitive since there is already a warrant of arrest issued for her)," Castro said.
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 (So, if any of our fellow citizens see Cassandra Ong, please immediately inform our law enforcement agencies so they can carry out the service of the warrant of arrest against her)," 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 (In every opportunity and in every possible way, big or small, any help will assist the government in finding the 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.

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Cassandra Li Ong POGO Malacañang
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