THE House of Representatives on Monday afternoon took custody of Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, a central figure in the ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and their associated illegal activities, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.
These POGOs, which flourished during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, were later banned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. after they were found to be fronts for numerous criminal activities, including money laundering, human trafficking and illegal drug trade.
Ong, an authorized representative of the controversial POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, was handed over to the House by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following an arrest and detention order issued by the chamber.
House Sergeant-at-Arms, retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas, officially received Ong at 12:57 in the afternoon Monday from the NBI, with turnover papers signed by NBI Assistant Director Winmar Ramos.
According to the turnover papers, Ong was informed of her legal rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, the right to bail, protection against torture, and prohibition of unlawful detention. All her personal belongings were handed over to her, with an acknowledgment signed by Ong.
Ong has been charged and underwent inquest proceedings on Aug. 23, 2024, for violations under Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829 and Section 45(h) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the “Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.”
The NBI has requested to be notified before any decision to release Ong from Congress custody.
Ong was cited for contempt by the House after repeatedly failing to attend hearings related to POGO-related crimes, including those allegedly involving Lucky South 99, whose hub in Porac was raided by authorities.
Her absence in previous hearings prompted the House quad-committee to take decisive action to ensure her participation in the investigation into the links between illegal POGOs, the proliferation of the illegal drug trade, unlawful land acquisition by some Chinese nationals, and the extrajudicial killings associated with the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
Barbers, chair of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs and designated overall chair of the quad-committee, emphasized the critical importance of Ong’s testimony to the investigation.
“Mahalaga si Cassandra Li Ong because she is our only link to Lucky South 99 and other illegal POGO hubs that were raided by the PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission). Malaki ang participation niya because she appears to be the liaison between these illegal POGOs and PAGCOR,” Barbers told reporters in a Zoom interview.
Barbers added: “We also need to obtain information from her about the owners, lawyers, and incorporators involved in these operations, because it’s clear that there are numerous illegal activities going on. The first question we need to ask her is whether she was aware of the scam hubs, torture, prostitution, and other illicit activities. Cassandra Li Ong is a very vital resource person in the quad-committee’s investigation into illegal POGOs.”
In a separate Zoom interview, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. highlighted the significance of Ong’s testimony in clarifying key issues, particularly the alleged connections between former President Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque and Lucky South 99.
“The quad-committee intends to invite Ms. Ong to our next hearing to shed light on critical issues. For instance, her testimony will help us ascertain the true nature of Atty. Harry Roque’s ties to Lucky South 99,” Abante said. “During our hearings, Atty. Roque has insisted that he is not representing this POGO, despite substantial evidence suggesting otherwise.”
Abante, who chairs the House Committee on Human Rights, noted that Roque claims his client, Whirlwind Corporation, is merely a service provider, and that Ong is just another client.
“However, given that Atty. Roque is an experienced lawyer, it is hard to believe that he is unaware that Cassandra Ong is not only the president of Whirlwind, a supposed real estate firm, but also the president of Lucky South 99, which actually owns the POGO hub,” he pointed out. He also noted that Whirlwind appears to be purchasing properties to facilitate POGO operations.
“As the saying goes, ‘If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it is most likely a duck.’ The actions of Atty. Roque on behalf of Lucky South 99 contradict his words, and we believe Ms. Ong can help us settle this matter once and for all,” Abante stressed.
The quad-committee, led by Barbers and Abante—along with Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, chair of the Committee on Public Accounts—has been spearheading the inquiry into illegal POGO operations.
The committee’s investigation has revealed a complex web of illegal activities, including money laundering, human trafficking and the exploitation of foreign workers, all tied to the POGO industry.
The decision to take Ong into custody was made due to concerns of her safety and the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The House leadership has assured the public that Ong’s rights will be fully respected while in custody, and she will be provided with adequate security.
The quad-committee has vowed to intensify its efforts to dismantle the illegal POGO networks operating in the country, focusing on those who have facilitated and profited from these illicit activities.
The panel has also urged other key figures associated with the POGO industry to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.
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