Sheila Guo, Alice Guo’s sister, and Cassandra Ong, a business partner of the ousted mayor, speak with Indonesian authorities. (File photo by PAOCC Usec. Gilbert Cruz)
MANILA, Philippines – Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, founder of a company that leased land to a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in Porac, Pampanga, is on her way to her detention facility at the House of Representatives.
This information was provided by Santa Rosa City Councilor Dan Fernandez.
Fernandez said in an online interview on Monday that the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, retired police Major General Napoleon Taas, had already confirmed to lawmakers that Ong would be taken to the House of Representatives premises.
“Yes, oo. According to the Sergeant-at-Arms, Nap is on his way to see Cassandra Li Ong in the House of Representatives, and we will hear her testimony on Wednesday,” he told reporters.
(Yes. According to Sergeant-at-Arms Nap, Cassandra Li Ong is on her way to the House of Representatives and we will hear her testimony on Wednesday.)
The news of Ong’s transfer from the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation came out after his lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, earlier stated in a forum that his client was on her way to the House of Representatives.
Ong, along with Shiela Guo, the sister of ousted Tarlac Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, were flown to the Philippines from Indonesia last Friday after Indonesian authorities arrested the two individuals.
The Justice Department believes that the arrest of Ong and Shiela Guo in Indonesia only proves the links between the Pogos in Bamban and Porac.
READ: Arrest of Alice Guo’s sister Ong in Indonesia confirms ties to Pogo – DOJ
Ong reportedly holds a 58 percent stake in Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land in Porac to Lucky South 99.
At least 186 foreign and Filipino workers were rescued from the Porac Pogo hub, which was raided for human trafficking on June 14 last year.
Meanwhile, the Bamban Pogo Hub, which was also raided, has been linked to former Mayor Guo because her previous company, Baofu Land Development Inc., had leased land to Pogo Hub operator Zun Yuan.
Alice Guo had previously claimed that she had divested herself of her ownership of Baofu, but the Interior Department pointed out that the P2.5 million amount for which she secured the property was “in stark contrast to her investment in Baufo, which covers about eight hectares of land.”
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Last Friday, the House of Representatives issued an arrest warrant for Ong after she was charged with contempt of court by the Quad Committee for failing to appear for hearings despite repeated invitations from various committees.
