The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested one of the alleged accomplices of fugitive former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Lucky South 99 representative Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case linked to a scam hub in Pampanga.
The CIDG identified the suspect only as “Marlon.” He was caught in an entrapment operation on May 22 in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City.
‘Marlon’ allegedly served as operations officer of a security agency connected to Lucky South 99, a defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) facility in Porac previously linked to trafficking activities.
The CIDG said the suspect is also facing an arrest warrant for 10 counts of qualified trafficking in persons issued by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118. No bail was recommended.
CIDG chief Police Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the arrest is part of the agency’s efforts to bring to justice all 51 individuals indicted in the case.
“This underscores our unrelenting effort in pursuing and putting behind bars wanted persons and fugitives with the end goal of helping the victims attain the justice they deserved. This is the first of the 51,” Torre said.
Roque is currently seeking an asylum in The Netherlands, while Ong was released from the Correctional Institution for Women after spending months in detention when she was cited in contempt by the House of Representatives’ Quad Committee.
Both Roque and Ong were previously tagged in the alleged trafficking operations at the POGO facility, which has been the subject of multiple government investigations involving labor violations and abuse of foreign nationals.
