The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
An Angeles City Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Pampanga has issued arrest warrants against former presidential spokesperson Atty. Herminio “Harry” Roque Jr., businesswoman Cassandra “Cassie Li” Ong, and 48 other individuals in connection with qualified human trafficking charges linked to the controversial Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Judge Rene Estrada Reyes of RTC Branch 118 authorized the issuance of warrants based on 11 separate informations filed against the accused for alleged violations of Republic Act 9208, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.
The charges stem from the 2024 raid on Lucky South 99, one of several POGO sites operating in the country that were exposed for alleged illegal activities, including human trafficking and online scam operations. The raid triggered public outrage and intensified the government’s crackdown on POGO-related crimes.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), under the leadership of Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, revealed that the raid led to the rescue of 158 foreign nationals. Authorities uncovered evidence of various criminal offenses, including torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking within the facility.
Despite these findings, Lucky South 99 has denied any involvement in unlawful operations. However, both Roque and Ong were later implicated in the aftermath of legal proceedings. Ong was identified as the authorized representative of the gaming hub, while Roque was accused of assisting in securing its license to operate.
Documents related to the facility’s reapplication for a license, which was eventually denied by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), also listed Roque as the legal head of Lucky South 99’s legal department.
Roque, who is now reportedly seeking asylum in the Netherlands, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He maintained that he was never legal counsel for any illegal POGO entity, including Lucky South 99.He further explained his involvement by stating that he merely accompanied Ong to a previous meeting, believing she was a victim of estafa. TRACY CABRERA