Latest news with #CIDG
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Another co-accused of Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong arrested
'Mariano', one of co-accused of Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case, was arrested in Clark, Pampanga May 29, 2025. CIDG Authorities arrested in Pampanga another co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case. The person was identified as "Mariano," one of 49 co-accused of Roque and Ong. Mariano was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Anti-Organized Crime Unit (CIDG AOCU) in Clark, Pampanga, the CIDG said in a press release issued Saturday. According to the CIDG, Mariano is one of the security guards on duty "when the alleged qualified trafficking in persons happened in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Porac, Pampanga." "I urge the other 49 co-accused to surrender yourselves to the CIDG and authorities because the Tracker Teams are pursuing you 24/7 and will catch you anytime soon. Isa-isa na kayong natutunton (We are tracking you one by one)," CIDG Director Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said. The CIDG deployed tracker teams nationwide starting May 15 to serve arrest warrants against Roque, Ong, and several others. Roque and others are the subject of arrest warrants for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the illegal activities in POGO hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga. No bail was recommended. The arrest warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga on May 15. "The Warrant of Arrest stemmed from the airtight complaint filed by CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit (AOCU) against the accused in connection with the implementation of Search Warrants for Violation of Republic Act 9208 (Anti- Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended) in alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs - Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. in Grand Palazzo Royals, Fil-Am Friendship Hi-way, Brgy. Cutcut, Porac, Angeles City, Pampanga on June 7, 2024," the CIDG said. On May 22, one of the co-accused of Roque and Ong, a man identified as "Marlon", was arrested in an entrapment operation in in Barangay Tabun, Mabalacat City, Pampanga. Marlon was the operation officer of the security agency operating when the qualified trafficking in persons was happening in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc, the CIDG said. Roque has denied the accusation and said he is not and has never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was neither a counsel of Lucky South 99. He also said that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting previously as he thought she was a victim of estafa. The former presidential spokesperson is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-05-2025
- GMA Network
Co-accused of Harry Roque, Cassandra Ong arrested in Pampanga —CIDG
A co-accused of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Cassandra Ong in a qualified trafficking in persons case has been arrested in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said. In a statement on Sunday evening, the CIDG said that on May 22, the accused identified as 'Marlon' was nabbed in Barangay Tabun during an entrapment operation. Marlon was the operation officer of the security agency operating when the qualified trafficking in persons was happening in Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Porac. The CIDG said he is also a subject of another arrest warrant for 10 counts of qualified trafficking in persons issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga with no bail recommended. 'This underscores our unrelenting effort in pursuing and putting behind bars wanted persons and fugitives with end goal of helping the victims attain the justice they deserved. This is the 1st of the 51,' CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said. 'I urge the other 50 co-accused to surrender yourselves to the CIDG and authorities because the Tracker Teams are pursuing you 24/7 and will catch you anytime soon,' he added. Roque and others are subject of arrest warrants for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the illegal activities in POGO hub Lucky South 99. The arrest warrants were issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 118, Angeles City, Pampanga. Roque has denied the accusation and said he is not and never been a legal counsel of any illegal POGO and was neither a counsel of Lucky South 99. He also said that he only accompanied Ong in a meeting previously as he thought she was a victim of estafa. The former presidential spokesperson is currently seeking asylum in the Netherlands. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- GMA Network
2 arrested for selling unregistered Korean food products in QC
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two persons for allegedly selling unregistered Korean food and beverage products worth P200,000 in Novaliches, Quezon City. In a statement on Thursday, CIDG said authorities conducted a buy-bust operation at a certain Korean food mart in Barangay Talipapa. This resulted in the seizure of 58 boxes of assorted Korean products, including canned luncheon meat, coffee, soft drinks, and juices, that were allegedly not registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and traded without a License to Operate. Under the Food and Drug Administration Act, the manufacture, importation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, and transfer of health and food products without the required authorization are prohibited since quality and safety are not guaranteed. Violators may face a fine of up to P5 million and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- GMA Network
P9M worth of unregistered vape products seized in Bulacan — CIDG
A total of 26,000 pieces of unregistered vape products worth P9.1 million were seized in an operation in Marilao, Bulacan on Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Thursday. In a statement, the CIDG said a suspect identified as Chinese national 'Ping' was arrested after he was caught selling the items with the brand 'Eutral' without permits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The suspect is facing a complaint before the National Prosecution Service for the violation of the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation, according to the CIDG. CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III said the government protects and promotes the people's right to health as it regulates vape products. 'With this confiscation in huge quantities, we significantly protect the citizens from any potential health hazards that may occur from these unregistered vape products; and we arrested the alleged seller of these illicit items,' he said. 'Rest assured that your CIDG is unyielding on its fight against all forms of criminalities and violations of laws, and steadfast in implementing the laws to everyone, local or foreign national,' he added. Meanwhile, Torre called on the public to report the trade of illegal products in their areas. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Straits Times
Filipino mayor and wife arrested for killing of vice-mayor
Mr Reynalbert Insular, the mayor of South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur, and his wife were arrested on May 20. PHOTO: MAYOR REYNALBERT O. INSULAR/FACEBOOK Filipino mayor and wife arrested for killing of vice-mayor MANILA - The mayor of South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur and his wife were arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of his vice-mayor in August last year. Authorities made the arrest in Barangay Making in Parang, Maguindanao del Norte on May 20, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in a statement on May 21. The arrest stemmed from a warrant for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 27 in Cotabato City on May 12, the CIDG said. 'In November 2024, the SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) filed criminal complaints… against 12 accused, including the mayor and his wife, for their alleged participation as alleged 'masterminds' in the planning and orchestration of the ambush,' the police unit further detailed. Although the CIDG did not name the two suspects, the incumbent mayor of South Upi is Mr Reynalbert Insular. The CIDG did not give further details about the 10 other individuals accused. The ambush took place in Sitio Linao in Barangay Pandan, South Upi on the early evening of August 2, killing vice-mayor Roldan Benito and his aide Weng Marcos. The incident also left Mr Benito's wife, Analyn, a community leader, and his 11-year-old child injured with gunshot wounds. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
