Cassandra Li Ong detained at House, Shiela Guo at Senate

Cassandra Li Ong and Shiela Guo, the companions of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, were transferred Monday to the House of Representatives and Senate, respectively, from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Ngayon daw sabi ng NBI (She will be transferred today, according to the NBI),” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Ong’s legal counsel, said in a press conference earlier in the day.

“The director himself, who called Atty. Lumanggaya 30 minutes before it was supposed to happen. So dapat kapag na ta-transfer mo, dapat andoon kami to effect the transfer together with the client,” he added.  

(The director himself, who called Atty. Lumanggaya 30 minutes before it was supposed to happen. So if they will transfer her, we should be there to effect the transfer together with the client.) 

The House previously issued an order to take custody of Ong as she has been slapped with a contempt order for her continued failure to attend the investigation on POGO-related crimes.

Ong is the authorized representative of Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that was raided in Porac, Pampanga, while Guo is the sister of the embattled mayor.

Senate Secretary Renato Bantug said Guo arrived at 12:29 p.m. and underwent inventory and medical check-up. 

The Public Relations and Information Bureau (PRIB) shared videos of Guo arriving at the Senate building in Pasay City and undergoing the proceedings. 

Shiela is among the personalities ordered arrested by the Senate last July.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed the information and said it was approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"We will be turning over Cassandra to the House and Sheila to the Senate," he told reporters.

“But then sinabi namin sa kanila, 'wag nila ire-release, i-turn over ulit sa amin pagkatapos na sila dahil merong pending case na finile ang NBI,” he said.

(But we told them not to release the two and turn them over to us again because they have pending cases that were filed by the NBI.)

He said they filed four cases against Ong and two against Guo.

Asked how long Guo will be detained, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said "she will be released once the committee recommends her release after she relieves herself of the contemptuous act vs the committee and after I sign the release order."

The Senate committee on justice and human rights, together with the committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, and committee on public services, will be conducting a hearing on Tuesday on the proposed cancellation of the Philippine passport of Alice Guo.

House detention

Ong, on the other hand, was handed over to the House of Representatives at 12:57 p.m. from the NBI, with turnover papers signed by NBI Assistant Director Winmar Ramos.

The turnover papers stated that was Ong was informed of her legal rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, the right to bail, protection against torture, and prohibition of unlawful detention.

All of her personal belongings were handed over to her, with an acknowledgment signed by Ong.

Ong has been charged and underwent inquest proceedings for violations under Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829 and Section 45(h) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the "Philippine Immigration Act of 1940." 

In addition, the NBI requested to be notified before any decision to release Ong from Congress custody.

House dangerous drugs panel chairman and Surigao del Norte Representative Ace Barbers, designated overall chair of the quad-committee, said Ong’s testimony will be vital in uncovering the POGO-linked crimes in Porac and Bamban.

"She is very important in our probe because she is our only link to Lucky South 99 and other illegal POGO hubs that were raided by the PAOCC (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission). She appears to be the liaison between these illegal POGOs and PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation),” Barbers said.

“We also need to obtain information from her about the owners, lawyers, and incorporators involved in these operations, because it's clear that there are numerous illegal activities going on. The first question we need to ask her is whether she was aware of the scam hubs, torture, prostitution, and other illicit activities,” he added.

The House leadership assured the public that Ong's rights will be fully respected while in custody, and she will be provided with adequate security.

The NBI initially took custody of Ong and Guo after they landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week following their arrest in Indonesia. 

Ong and Guo were about to depart Batam, Indonesia when they were intercepted.—with report from Sundy Locus and Llanesca Panti/AOL, GMA Integrated News