Topacio questions repatriation of Cassandra Ong from Indonesia

Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, an incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, which leased land to a Philippine offshore gaming operator in Porac, Pampanga, has been officially turned over to the House of Representatives. An arrest order for Ong was released last August 21 after she was cited for contempt by the quad-committee, for refusing to attend the hearings. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Atty. Ferdinand Topacio who serves as a legal counsel to Alice Guo’s business associate Cassandra Ong defended his client by questioning the Philippine government’s request to repatriate her from Indonesia.

Speaking at a pandesal forum, Topacio insisted that Ong went out of the Philippines “through normal channels.”

“So bakit nagkaroon ng request ang Philippine government to the Indonesian government to repatriate her? Anyway, that is a minor issue, kasi the only circumstance by which you can impair the right to travel, if it is a case of national security, public health, or public safety,” said Topacio.

(So why did the Philippine government have a request to the Indonesian government to repatriate her? Anyway, that is a minor issue, because the only circumstance by which you can impair the right to travel, if it is a case of national security, public health, or public safety.)

He proceeded to question what circumstance Ong’s case ended up with.

“National security, terorista ba siya? Magpapasabog ba siya ng bomba sa Maynila o sa Indonesia? Public health, may sakit ba siyang nakakahawa, or public safety — anong mag e-endanger sa public kung siya ay nasa Indonesia?” said Topacio.

(National security, is she a terrorist? Will she detonate a bomb in Manila or in Indonesia? Public health, does she have an infectious disease, or public safety — what will endanger the public if she is in Indonesia?)

Apart from this, he proceeded to lambast the current administration for what he labelled as “lies.” He said he is disappointed with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s decision to come out with a memorandum directing the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel Ong’s passport.

Topacio said under the laws of the republic, only the court that can cancel a passport and only under three circumstances:

• When a passport was fraudulently obtained
• If you have been convicted of a crime
• If you are a fugitive of justice

“Ang nangyari po rito, pagdating sa airport dinala sa Bureau of Immigration [at] kinuha ng National Bureau of Investigation. Anong legal basis ng NBI para arestuhin si Cassy Li Ong? Wala. Bakit wala? Dahil walang kaso si Cassy Li Ong na naka-file sa court. Anong ibig sabihin noon, since there is no case, there is no warrant issued by any court,” he said.

(What happened here is that upon arrival at the airport she was taken to the Bureau of Immigration [and] taken by the National Bureau of Investigation. What legal basis does the NBI have to arrest Cassy Li Ong? Nothing. Why? Because Cassy Li Ong has no case filed in court. What does that mean, since there is no case, there is no warrant issued by any court.)

He said he initially raised the question to the Bi, asking why the NBI took custody of Ong.

“Hindi ba dapat itinurn over nila sa House? Binibigyan ko na nga sila ng pagkakataon na hindi magkaroon ng criminal liability,” said Topacio.

(Shouldn’t they have turned her over to the House? I am giving them the opportunity to not have criminal liability.)

Ong is expected to appear before the chamber’s public inquiry on Tuesday that would delve deep into Guo’s escape from Philippine jurisdiction even with an existing arrest warrant and look out order.

READ: PAOCC: Woman linked to Porac Pogo may also be a Chinese national

Ong was with Shiela Guo when they were brought back to the Philippines on August 22. The Philippine National Police said the two were arrested in Indonesia at 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

Alice was not with the two at the time of their apprehension.

At present, the Ong is detained within the lower chamber’s premises.