The Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its efforts to apprehend Katherine Cassandra Ong, the alleged business associate of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, who is facing charges of qualified human trafficking linked to an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pampanga.
In a statement on Sunday, acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is already coordinating with foreign law enforcement agencies to track down Ong so she may face the charges against her.
Nartatez also said the PNP will be working with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) following the issuance of a red notice for both Ong and her fellow accused, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
“The PNP is committed to delivering justice to the victims of illegal Pogo hubs. Those involved in these illegal operations must face the consequences of their actions,” Nartatez said as quoted in the statement.
Despite an active arrest warrant for qualified human trafficking in the alleged scam operations at Lucky South 99, “authorities earlier reported that Ong fled to Japan early this year after her release from detention.”
Ong was initially detained in the House of Representatives during the congressional probe of POGOs, but was released during the transition into the 20th Congress before a case was filed against her.
