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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros: Gov't should forfeit assets of Harry Roque, Cassie Li Ong and others in human trafficking case

Hontiveros: Gov't should forfeit assets of Harry Roque, Cassie Li Ong and others in human trafficking case

Published Apr 29, 2025 06:19 am

Senate deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, April 29 applauded the Department of Justice (DOJ) for filing cases of human trafficking against former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra “Cassie” Li Ong and 40 others who were allegedly involved in the illegal activities of the now-banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 Corp. in Porac, Pampanga.


“The cases filed against Atty. Harry Roque, Cassie Li Ong, and others show justice in motion. We demand nothing but full accountability,” Hontiveros said.


“They had it coming. Our Senate hearings uncovered a mountain of evidence—documents, testimonies, undeniable links—that exposed the depth of their involvement in the Porac POGO hub,” she added.


Hontiveros said all those who played a role in human trafficking, torture and deceit that enabled the massive illegal operations of POGOs should answer before the law.


“Sana ma-forfeit ang assets nila sa lalong madaling panahon at magamit ng pamahalaan para tulungan ang mga nabiktima nila (Hopefully their assets will be forfeited as soon as possible and the government will use them to help their victims),” she said.


“Kung gaano kalaki ang POGO sa Porac, ganun din karami ang dami ng nabiktima (As big as the POGO was in Porac, so are the number of victims,” she noted.


“I applaud the DOJ for relentlessly working on this case. Tiwala ako na makakamit din ang hustisya (I trust that justice will be achieved),” she stressed.


Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty earlier confirmed that state prosecutors have filed the information charging Roque, who is seeking asylum in the Netherlands, and other respondents in the case with qualified human trafficking and several counts of human trafficking before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court.


Ty also said Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered them to inform the Netherlands that the DOJ found probable cause to indict Roque.


According to Ty, this truly shows that the filing of charges against Roque is not politically-motivated.


“This is really about the crime of human trafficking,” Ty had said.

Related Tags

DOJ POGO ban human trafficking scheme Risa Hontiveros
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