Cassandra Ong, who has been issued an arrest warrant for qualified trafficking due to her role in the alleged illegal operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Lucky South 99 Corp. in Porac, Pampanga, was last tracked in Japan in January this year and is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio provided this update during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, a day after Senate Finance Committee Chair Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that Ong had been released from detention at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City and has since been “at large.”

“Yun ang last namin nakuha, na Japan, after that we have no more idea where she went. I am pretty certain it was the first quarter of this year kasi lumabas ang kanyang warrant basta March or May. First quarter ang last namin na-track siya,” Casio said.

Ong, also known as Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, was identified as the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, which was allegedly operating illegally in the country and involved in torture, human trafficking, and illegal scamming activities.

In June 2024, joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the PAOCC raided the 5.8-hectare Lucky South 99 complex at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Porac. The firm was reportedly employing over 1,000 individuals, but only 140 were found when authorities arrived. Gatchalian noted that criminal syndicates had a deep intelligence network, which enabled most of the POGO firm’s officials and employees to escape before the raid.

Indonesian authorities later apprehended Ong, along with former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her supposed sister Sheila Guo, in August 2024 for being “suspicious foreigners.” They were subsequently deported to the Philippines. The Guos’ brother, Wesley, was identified as Ong’s boyfriend.

Ong was among the individuals invited to separate hearings by the Senate and the House of Representatives on illegal activities linked to POGOs. The Senate’s inquiry was led by the Tri Committee (Tricomm), composed of the Committees on Justice and Human Rights; Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality; and Public Services. The House inquiry was led by the Quad Committee (Quadcomm), composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs; Public Accounts; Public Order, Safety, and Accountability; and Human Rights.

The House Quadcomm cited Ong for contempt for allegedly lying during the inquiry, leading to her detention at the CIW in Mandaluyong City.

Gatchalian stated that Ong was released when the 19th Congress ended and the legislative body transitioned into the 20th Congress. “At that point, wala pang kaso [laban sa kaniya],” he said.

A case for qualified human trafficking was later filed, and arrest warrants were issued by the court in May 2025 against Ong and several co-accused, including former Duterte spokesman Harry Roque.

Casio said, “We have to backtrack everything when it comes to her movement. Japan lang ang last na nalaman namin.”

He added that Ong is already the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and that the PAOCC is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to locate and bring her back to the Philippines.

A Red Notice by Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country.

Casio also noted that canceling Ong’s passport will be up to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

📷 House of Representatives