Ong's legal team plans arbitrary detention complaints against authorities

Cassandra Li Ong's legal team is planning to file arbitrary detention complaints against authorities involved in her arrest and detention.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Ong's lawyer, stated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will likely be among the respondents due to its oversight over the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Topacio argued there was no legal basis for Ong's detention by the NBI upon her return from Indonesia, as she had only been cited in contempt by the House of Representatives.

Ong and Shiela Guo were taken into custody last week after being intercepted at Batam, Indonesia, but Topacio emphasized that no arrest warrant had been issued by a court.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago denied allegations of arbitrary detention, asserting they followed legal procedures despite claims to the contrary.

Santiago added that three criminal charges have been filed against Ong and Guo, and they are currently under legislative custody until respective hearings.

Topacio also questioned anew the arrest and deportation of Ong from Indonesia, emphasizing there were no cases filed against her at the time of her arrest.