Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong's co-accused in POGO-related human trafficking case arrested
A man accused of human trafficking alongside palace spokesman Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong—in relation to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Pampanga—was arrested in Mabalacat.
In a statement posted on Facebook on May 25, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said "Marlon" was arrested in Barangay Tabun during an entrapment operation on May 22. The operation was done by the CIDG Regional Field Unit 3-Special Operations Team together with the CIDG Pampanga Provincial Field Unit and the Mabalacat City Police Station.
CIDG Chief Nicolas Torre III said Marlon was the operations officer of the security agency operating when the qualified trafficking in persons happened in Lucky South 99, a POGO in Porac.
Torre said the CIDG has deployed a tracker team to arrest Roque, Ong, and 48 others for qualified trafficking in persons, in violation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. Their charges are non-bailable.
The Angeles Regional Trial Court Branch 118 issued the arrest warrant last May 15, following a complaint filed by the CIDG's Anti-Organized Crime Unit in June 2024.
“This underscores our unrelenting effort in pursuing and putting behind bars wanted persons and fugitives with end goal of helping the victims attain the justice they deserved," Torre said following Marlon's arrest. "This is the 1st of the 51."
“I urge the other 50 co-accused to surrender yourselves to the CIDG and authorities because the Tracker Teams are pursuing you 24/7 and will catch you anytime soon,” he added.
Roque has been involved in the POGO issue that came after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission found documents bearing his signature during their raid of the Pampanga hub in June.
When the Senate started its hearings on the matter, Alejandro Tengco, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, confirmed Roque's connection by revealing that he was the one who assisted Lucky South 99 in reapplying for a new license.
Roque has denied any wrongdoing, saying he never lawyered for Lucky South 99 and any POGO for that matter. He stressed that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting, as he thought she was a victim of estafa.
Roque is seeking asylum in the Netherlands amid the POGO issue.
Ong, meanwhile, was named as an authorized representative of Lucky South 99. She and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo are also facing money laundering charges.
