Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Saturday called for stronger government measures to hold alleged trafficking operator Cassandra Ong accountable, following reports she left the country and was last tracked in Japan.
“Hindi puwedeng walang pananagutan si Cassie Li Ong. Human trafficking ang kaso niya, hindi ito minor traffic violation na puwedeng palampasin,” Hontiveros said, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges.
The call came after the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed Ong, the representative of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, had left the Philippines earlier this year. An Interpol red notice has since been issued for her.
Hontiveros urged the government to revoke Ong’s travel documents, saying: “Maliban sa Interpol red notice, dapat na ring kanselahin ng gobyerno ang passport ni Cassie Ong at iba pa niyang kasabwat. Hindi siya turista.”
The senator also stressed the need for international coordination, stating: “Our law enforcers should also be actively coordinating with their international counterparts. Bring Cassie back to our country and make her face justice. Hindi siya dapat makalusot.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has not yet commented on the possible cancellation of Ong’s passport, while the PAOCC continues working with foreign security agencies to trace her movements.