The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has directed the transfer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory. This order is related to her qualified trafficking charges.
In a four-page decision, the Pasig RTC Branch 167 confirmed there was enough evidence to proceed with Guo’s trial. Since the charges are non-bailable, Guo and her co-accused cannot post bail.
Guo and others face charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Acts of 2012 and 2022. Among the co-accused are Huang Zhiyang, alleged to be the leader of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and Zhang Ruijin.
The court also ordered the transfer of Walter Wong Long, a Malaysian national arrested at the Bamban POGO hub, from Tarlac Provincial Jail to Pasig City Jail. Arrest warrants have been issued for other co-accused, including former TLRC deputy director general Dennis Cunanan.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla urged those still evading authorities to surrender immediately, warning that the law would eventually catch up with them.
Guo’s lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, mentioned that the jurisdiction of her detention would need to be discussed between courts, noting Guo’s “high-risk situation” and suggesting Camp Crame as a more suitable facility for her.
In addition to her trafficking case, Guo faces graft charges in Valenzuela and a money laundering complaint with the Department of Justice. She is also under investigation by both the Senate and the House of Representatives for her alleged involvement in the Bamban POGO hub and questions about her citizenship.