POGO rep Cassandra Ong, Alice Guo's sister nabbed in Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — Katherine Cassandra Ong, the representative of the Porac, Pampanga-based Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), is now in the custody of Indonesian immigration authorities, several government officials confirmed on Thursday. 

This development comes days after the government asked for the cancellation of the passports of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, her sibling and Ong after they escaped the country despite having an Immigration Lookout Bulletin issued against them. 

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos first hinted at the information in an ambush interview with reporters on Thursday morning, saying that two of the companions of the dismissed Bamban Mayor are in the hands of the Indonesian immigration. 

Rep. Dan Fernandez (Sta. Rosa, Laguna) then revealed in the House quad-committee investigation into the extra-judicial killings that Ong is one of the individuals apprehended by Indonesian authorities. 

In an ambush interview with reporters, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also confirmed Ong’s arrest in Indonesia along with Guo’s sister, Shiela Leal Guo.

Remulla said that the arrest proves the “connection” between the raided POGO hubs in Bamban and Porac. 

“We found a connection between Alice Guo and Cassandra Lee Ong…which means Bamban and Porac are closely related,” Remulla said. 

As their passports were allegedly obtained through fraudulent means, Shiela and Ong will be sent back to the Philippines, according to Remulla. 

However, he said that the government cannot “summarily cancel” a passport despite having a request from the Executive Secretary. 

The Justice chief said that it is not “advisable” to “treat it summarily” as it will be a tricky process for their return. 

“If the passports are canceled immediately, then how can you make them travel back to the country? You’ll have to issue a travel document which should be an admission that they’re Filipino citizens,” Remulla said. 

On Monday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who first revealed that Guo escaped the country, said that the dismissed mayor used a Philippine passport in her escape.

Hontiveros also revealed that the Department of Foreign Affairs notified the Interpol