Another coaccused in trafficking case with Roque, Ong falls in Pampanga
Authorities arrest the second of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong’s co-accused in the qualified human trafficking case in connection with the Lucky South 99 offshore gaming hub on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Photo from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group)
MANILA, Philippines — The second of the 49 individuals accused of human trafficking alongside former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong was arrested by authorities.
The individual, identified as “Mariano,” was taken into police custody Thursday in Clark, Pampanga, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said in a statement Saturday.
The arrest stemmed from a warrant against Roque, Ong and the 49 others for alleged violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
“Mariano [was] one of the security guards rendering duty when the alleged qualified trafficking in persons happened in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in Porac, Pampanga,” the CIDG said.
The warrant was issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in Angeles City earlier this May.
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The CIDG then deployed tracker teams for all 51 accused, coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration for Ong’s case and later requesting a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to apprehend Roque.
Roque is in The Netherlands seeking asylum and claiming political persecution.
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The first of Roque and Ong’s co-accused was arrested last May 29 also in Pampanga. /jpv
