MANILA — Authorities have arrested another co-accused linked to former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a high-profile human trafficking case tied to illegal offshore gaming operators.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre confirmed that police tracker teams apprehended the suspect known only as “Mariano” on May 29 at the public safety division of Clark Development Corp. in Pampanga.
Mariano worked as a security guard at Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) located in Porac. Cassandra Ong was an incorporator of Lucky South 99, while Roque served as its legal counsel.
This arrest follows a warrant issued against Roque, Ong, and 49 others for alleged violations of Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Torre, the incoming Philippine National Police chief, urged all co-accused individuals involved in this non-bailable case to surrender voluntarily.
The Philippine government, through the Department of Justice (DOJ), is coordinating with Interpol to track down Roque, who is reportedly in Europe. DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced plans to cancel Roque’s passport.
Earlier on May 22, CIDG arrested another co-accused named “Marlon” during an entrapment operation in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City.
The investigation into illegal offshore gaming operations and associated human trafficking continues to intensify as authorities work to dismantle these criminal networks.
