A ruling from a Pasig City court has resulted in the cancellation of the passports of former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, and several former Technology Resource Center officials who are all facing human trafficking charges linked to alleged activities inside the Pogo hubs Lucky South 99 and Whirlwind Corporations.
The decision came from Pasig RTC Branch 157, which also voided the passports of Dennis Cunanan, Ronelyn Baterna, and Mercides Macabasa. The same court order noted that the five individuals were no longer found in their usual residences, with the judge stating that their whereabouts are now unclear. “Although accused Ong and Cunanan have sought affirmative relief from the court, they have remained at large and cannot be found in their usual places of abode. They, too, are deemed fugitives from justice within the meaning of the law,” the court said.
Roque challenged the move, insisting he does not fall under the legal definition of a fugitive. He pointed out that he left the Philippines in 2024, at a time when no case had been initiated. He argued that fugitives are those who escape after conviction or once charges have been filed to avoid prosecution. The court partly agreed, clarifying that he did not flee at the moment of departure since no case existed then. It emphasized, however, that intent becomes crucial once charges are in place. “Thus, the accused Roque is deemed to have fled when he knowingly chose to remain in another country despite the charge against him,” the ruling stated.
In a separate directive, the court also approved the issuance of a hold departure order for multiple individuals connected to the same case. The list includes Ong, Baterna, Cunanan, Norman Macapagal, Stephanie Mascareñas, Michael Mascareñas, Rodrigo Bande, Lowe Yambao, Jessie Rallos, Josefine Mascareñas, Haidee Uy, Niña Myra Cervantes, Sam Sy, Raymond Go, Randell Go, Daniel Salcedo Jr., Chona Alejandre, Crispin Medina, Renato Bautista, Wharman Mariano, Chris Jude Flores, Allan Salvador, Marlon Funcion, Giorgia Salvador, Mark Anthony Salvador, Mercides Macabasa, and Ley Tan.
A hold departure order bars an accused individual from leaving the Philippines, and such an order may only be issued by a court. “In view thereof, there is sufficient basis and the court resolves to grant the prayer for the issuance of a Hold Departure Order,” Presiding Judge Ana Teresa Cornejo-Tomacruz said.
