ATTY. Harry Roque seeks to join former President Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team. Photograph courtesy of OVP
NEWS

Roque, Ong co-accused collared in Pampanga

Jonas Reyes

MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has confirmed the arrest of a co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong during an operation in Barangay Tabun of this city on 22 May 2025.

In a statement released on May 26, the CIDG said the suspect, identified as Marlon, was arrested in an entrapment operation in the aforementioned area on 22 May.

Marlon was the operations officer of a security agency that was active during the height of the alleged human trafficking operations at Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) based in Porac.

In addition to his arrest, the suspect has a pending warrant for 10 counts of qualified trafficking in persons, issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in Angeles City. No bail was recommended for the case.

According to CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III, Marlon’s arrest is a testament to the CIDG’s unrelenting efforts to pursue and apprehend individuals involved in heinous crimes.

The official urged the 50 other co-accused to surrender, stating that CIDG tracker teams will continue to pursue and arrest them.

Roque and the co-accused have pending warrants of arrest in connection with illegal activities inside the Lucky South 99 POGO hub. These warrants were also issued by courts in Angeles City.