DOJ explains basis of arrest of Cassy Ong, Shiela Guo | ABS-CBN

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DOJ explains basis of arrest of Cassy Ong, Shiela Guo

DOJ explains basis of arrest of Cassy Ong, Shiela Guo

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Aug 23, 2024 06:10 PM PHT

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Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong upon their arrival in the Philippines on Aug. 22, 2024 following their arrest in Indonesia. Bureau of Immigration

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday explained why Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong were arrested upon their arrival in the Philippines following their apprehension in Indonesia.

Ong and Guo were alleged companions of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo when she left the Philippines last month.

Shiela, the sister of Alice, was arrested for immigration violations, while Ong was arrested without a warrant for several alleged crimes filed before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), according to DOJ undersecretary Nicholas Ty.  

"Kay Shiela, ang pag-aresto sa kanya ng BI ay dahil sa paglabag ng Immigration Act dahil lumalabas na may duda na tayo sa nationality niya at naka-secure siya ng PH passport. Bukod dun nakalabas siya ng Pilipinas nang di dumadaan sa mga port natin; illegal exit," Ty said.

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"Kay Cassandra Ong, so far sa tingin namin, Filipino itong si Cassandra Ong kaya pagdating niya, inaresto siya ng NBI sa paglabag sa iba-ibang criminal law kasama na dyan yung obstruction of justice, violation of passport act, at criminal provision ng Immigration Act," the official added.

Ong's lawyer Ferdinand Topacio earlier questioned the basis of his client's arrest.



The DOJ noted that both Ong and Guo can request for bail.

In Ong's case, the DOJ admitted that complaints against her were "not that strong" but heavier cases will be filed in the right time.

"Yung mga kasong inireklamo ng NBI laban kay Cassy Ong, bailable ito. Hindi ganun kalakas ito. Daan pa siya sa inquest, hindi pa tayo sigurado kung aabot sa korte yung kaso niya. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na hindi umuusad yung ibang kaso niya, yung mas mabibigat na kaso. Sa tamang panahon maisasampa kung kaso laban sa kanya... Warrantless arrest ito kaya limitado lang ang pwedeng isampa laban sa kanya," Ty said.

"Dito sa paghawak ng Immigration sa kanya (Shiela Guo) indefinite yan, maaari siyang huminging bail dito sa BI pero iba yang bail na yan sa bail sa criminal na kaso. Sa criminal na kaso as a matter of rights yan. Dito sa mga immigration cases, nasa board of commissioners kung pagbibigyan siya ng bail," he added.

The DOJ said it was coordinating with the House of Representatives and the Senate to ensure that the government would have custody of Ong.

"Maaaring ma-charge siya na bailable o pwede ding referred for further investigation o maaaring ma-dismiss. Kahit anong mangyari doon, makakalabas siya. Kaya dito natin i-connect yung pakikipag-ugnayan sa Senado at Kongreso…. upang dun siya ilipat dahil aktibong warrant ang Batasan," Ty said.

Guo and Ong were nabbed by Indonesian authorities this week in Batam, an island near Singapore.

The dismissed mayor and her brother Wesley have yet to be located.

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