The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has intensified its effort to locate and capture Cassandra Li Ong and all her co-accused in the qualified human trafficking charges.
“We do not only focus on Ms. Ong, we will also make sure that all the respondents, whether they are in the Philippines or in abroad, will be located and be taken to the court that issued the arrest warrant,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
“The PNP is an integral part of our justice system. Our mandate is to serve the order of the court and in this case, locate and bring all the accused for them to face the charges against them. We are committed to complying with the court order,” he added.
On Tuesday, Malacañang said Ong is in the Philippines.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said that the information came from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
”Based sa kanilang records nasa Pilipinas pa po si Ms. Cassandra Ong, at patuloy pa rin po ang paghahanap sa kaniya dahil nga siya po ay tinatawag na fugitive dahil may warrant of arrest na po,” she said.
(Based on their records at present, Ms. Cassandra Ong is in the Philippines. The operations to track her continue since she is considered a fugitive due to a warrant of arrest against her.)
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has offered a P1-million reward for information on the location of Ong.
According to the PNP, over 50 people were charged for qualified human trafficking in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99.
Aside from Ong, former presidential spokesperson under the Duterte administration Atty. Harry Roque was also implicated, the PNP said.
The Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in May issued warrants of arrest against Ong and other suspects, the police organization said.
Recently, the Court of Appeals dismissed Ong’s petition challenging the resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicting her, according to the PNP. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
