Batangas Second District Representative Gerville Luistro said on Thursday that Cassandra Li Ong was initially considered to be a state witness but was later withdrawn from consideration after repeatedly lying to the committees of the House of Representatives.
In an interview during Dos Por Dos on Thursday, Luistro explained that they had initially intended to recommend Ong as a state witness because she had been identified by multiple sources.
"Siya ang itinuturo ni Atty. Harry Roque, siya rin ang tinuturo ng dating kasama rin niya sa Lucky South 99, even itong si AR Dela Serna at even the PAGCOR itinuro rin si Cassy Ong," said Luistro.
"It appears to us na very vital ang testimony ni Cassy Ong for us to be able to unfold sino pa ang nasa likod nito. May mga politiko ba na tumulong sa inyo? How did you come up with this widespread operational PAGCOR, e yung mga incorporators puro Chinese nationals?," she added.
Luistro said the committee believed that Ong’s testimonies could significantly aid their investigation into illegal POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), which have previously been linked to human trafficking and other crimes.
"Gusto sana namin siyang gawing State Witness kaya lang we could not feel and see her sincerity in giving her full cooperation," she noted.
During a House quad-committee hearing on Wednesday, Ong revealed that she didn’t finish her education, only graduating from elementary school. Representatives also disclosed that Ong was only 19 years old when she began working with Whirlwind Corp. and Lucky South 99.
"Try to imagine this, she's only 19 noong pumasok siya sa POGO sa Whirlwind, now she is 24. Ang pinag-uusapan natin 46 buildings which they constructed in Porac, Pampanga. Saan nanggaling ang pera ng batang ito and Where did she got the courage para mag-engage sa ganitong kalaking negosyo?"
"Saan niya nakuha yung pondo at lakas ng loob and who is behind her," she added.
On August 20, Shiela Guo, the supposed sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and Ong were arrested in Indonesia, raising questions about why the two were apprehended together, suggesting potential connections to POGO operations raided in Pampanga and Tarlac.
During a Senate hearing on August 27, Shiela claimed that she was the girlfriend of Wesley Guo, Alice Guo’s brother.
"Ito ba coinsidence lang? Parang ang hirap i-absorb na nagkataon bang si Mayor Alice Guo implicated sa POGO sa Bamban, Tarlac tapos ito naman si Cassy Ong implicated sa POGO sa Porac, Pampanga. Bakit parehas? Tapos boyfriend pala niya kapatid ni Alice Guo," Luistro questioned.
Luistro further noted that the more Ong makes statements, the more questions arise.
