MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is offering a PHP1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Cassandra Li Ong, a key figure in a pending human trafficking case involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Central Luzon.

Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the reward is for “credible actionable information that will directly lead to the lawful discovery, location, and subsequent arrest” of Ong.

“Batid naman po natin sa nakalipas ay may kakayanan sila. May kakayanan na umikot, gumalaw, at makalabas at pumasok ng Pilipinas nang hindi natutukoy (We know that in the past, they had the capability to move around, operate, and enter or exit the Philippines without being detected),” Vida said.

He noted that Ong might have left the country despite the alleged confiscation of her passport, using what he called “backdoor exits.”

“Definitely, with the current information that we have, we don’t have enough. That’s why we’re offering the reward. And it’s an effective tool,” Vida added.

Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said the cancellation of passports for Ong, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, and two others is now final and executory through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan clarified that the cancellation of Roque’s passport is not connected to his pending asylum application before the government of the Netherlands. (PNA)