The recent news indicates that arrest warrants have been issued for lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong, and 48 others in connection to a qualified human trafficking case. This involves their alleged involvement with a scam hub operated by Lucky South 99.
This development has made headlines, and if you want more details about the case or how it’s unfolding, I can help you look further into it.
The arrest warrants were issued by the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court, Branch 118, on Thursday. This follows their involvement in the case related to qualified human trafficking connected to the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99.
This marks an important step in the legal proceedings, and the case seems to be gaining significant attention.
According to the arrest warrant, the individuals, including Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong, are facing 11 separate charges under the Republic Act 9208 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. This law aims to combat human trafficking, particularly in cases involving forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of trafficking.
The charges reflect serious allegations, and the involvement of multiple individuals indicates the scope of the operation linked to the Lucky South 99 scam hub. It seems that this case is not only about financial fraud but also involves severe violations related to human trafficking.
Lucky South 99 was a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility located in Porac, Pampanga, which was raided and exposed in 2024. The raid attracted nationwide attention, shedding light on the alleged illegal activities taking place within the facility. This operation was reportedly linked to human trafficking, as well as other illicit activities.
The exposure of Lucky South 99 triggered a nationwide crackdown on POGO operations in the Philippines, with authorities taking stronger measures to clamp down on illegal and unethical practices associated with some of these gaming establishments. The case also highlighted the intersection of trafficking and the POGO industry, which had been under increasing scrutiny for its role in facilitating criminal activities.
The incident raised serious questions about regulatory oversight and the need for tighter controls on offshore gaming operations in the country, which have grown in prominence in recent years. It also sparked debate over the human cost of such operations and the exploitation involved.
This is a significant development, and the case could have broader implications for the regulation of POGOs in the Philippines moving forward. Would you like to explore more on the crackdown or the specifics of the legal actions tied to this case?
According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), authorities uncovered evidence of torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking at the Lucky South 99 facility in Porac, Pampanga. These findings revealed the dark and disturbing nature of the operations within the POGO hub, linking it to serious human trafficking offenses.
The PAOCC’s report paints a harrowing picture, with the victims subjected to extreme abuse, including torture and forced sexual exploitation. This discovery is a significant development, not only exposing the scope of human rights violations but also highlighting the dangers of poorly regulated offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
The revelation of such crimes at Lucky South 99 has further intensified the public outcry against POGO operations, urging the government to take more stringent actions against these establishments. It also underscores the urgent need for stronger oversight and more rigorous enforcement of laws against human trafficking.
If you’d like more details on the PAOCC’s findings or the broader implications for the POGO industry in the Philippines, feel free to ask.
Authorities were able to rescue at least 158 foreign employees from the Lucky South 99 facility, which has been linked to serious human trafficking allegations. Despite these claims, Lucky South 99 has denied any wrongdoing.
Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong were both implicated in the legal proceedings following the raid. Roque is accused of assisting in securing the operating license for the hub, while Ong was named as the authorized representative of Lucky South 99.
Roque has also been identified as the legal head of the hub’s legal department, based on documentation related to the hub’s license reapplication—which was ultimately denied by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). However, Roque denies these accusations, stating that he has never been a legal counsel for any illegal POGO and was not associated with Lucky South 99 in a legal capacity. He also clarified that he only accompanied Ong to a meeting, under the belief that she was a victim of estafa (fraud).
Roque is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands as legal proceedings move forward.
In April 2025, formal cases were filed against Roque, Ong, and others involved in the operation.