Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm Lucky South 99 authorized representative, Cassandra Li Ong, is no longer under government custody after having been released from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed on Friday.
During the Senate plenary debates on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Gatchalian said that Ong had already been released from the detention, RH Raymund Dadpaad reported.
“Ngayon si Cassandra Li Ong naka-release po siya, so hindi siya [nakakulong],” Gatchalian said, citing information relayed by Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida.
Gatchalian noted that her release occurred during Congress’ recess.
“Mr. President, actually nagulat rin ako. Pareho ho tayong nagulat kasi tinututukan ho natin itong case. I was advised that dahil nung nag-recess po ‘yung [Congress], pinalabas ho natin siya because ‘pag nagmo-move from one Congress to the other Congress, pinapakawalan ho natin ‘yung mga nade-detain dito,” he explained.
According to Gatchalian, Ong had previously been placed under house detention.
“Na-detain po siya sa House [of Representatives] and then because of the transition of the 20th Congress to 21st Congress, pinalabas siya sa detention. At that point wala pang kaso. So, ngayon mayroon ng kaso, the same qualified human trafficking. Unfortunately, because noong nakalabas siya tsaka lang na-file ‘yung kaso at large siya ngayon,” he said.
A case has since been filed before the Regional Trial Court Branch 157 in Pasig City, involving alleged human trafficking connected to the Lucky South 99 POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed alarm over the revelation.
“Sobra naman akong nababahala, dito nga sa Senado maingat na maingat tayo na kapag may nakadetain tayong mga tao, talagang hangga’t may nakadetain tayo na mga tao talagang hangga’t maaari sinusubukan natin na siguruhin na kapag umandar na ‘yung imbestigasyon ‘yung case build up lalo na kapag mag-iinitiate na ng judicial proceedings 'yung executive na present 'yung taong 'yun para dumaan sa proseso,” she said.
Gatchalian said that a "warrant of arrest" has been issued, and law enforcement is searching for her within our jurisdiction, when asked by Hontiveros what will happen next about Ong’s situation.
“Pareho sa kanya ‘yung sitwasyon ni Cassandra Li the same kay Harry Roque, since mayroon na siyang warrant of arrest hinahanap na siya ng ating kapulisan within our jurisdiction, pinapa-verify ko lang sa BI kung nakalabas na o nakatakas na pero automatic naman ‘yung hold departure order, pinapavery lang kung nakawala na,” Gatchalian said.
The senator also warned that Ong may have slipped out through backdoor routes, drawing parallels to previous cases—particularly that of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who was found guilty of qualified trafficking in persons by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 on Thursday, November 20.
Gatchalian, citing DOJ reports, said the department has already begun the process of canceling Ong’s passport. He added that initial information from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) indicates that there is no record of Ong leaving the country, although verification is still underway.
It can be recalled that Ong had attempted to flee previously alongside Guo.
