Alice Guo conviction a win vs corruption, human trafficking —senators

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday said the conviction of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo for qualified trafficking over links to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her hometown, was a “victory” against corruption, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes. 

Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality which investigated the controversy, issued the statement after a Pasig court on Thursday found Guo guilty of qualified human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment.

“To all others who enabled Alice Guo’s criminal empire: the Philippines is not a playground for exploitation, infiltration, and espionage. Accountability is coming. Justice always finds a way,” the senator said. 

“We will continue to demand accountability from every government agency that failed in their duties, and we will continue to investigate the full extent of Chinese intelligence operations in our country,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Guo’s conviction was a “big win for the Filipino people,” including foreign nationals who were victimized by the criminal activities allegedly perpetrated by POGOs. 

“The rule of law has prevailed, and justice has been served. Her conviction should serve as a wake-up call against Filipinos or foreign nationals alike who seek to take advantage of the bureaucracy to carry out atrocities such as human trafficking and online scams,” Gatchalian said. 

He also expressed hope that Guo’s conviction will further strengthen the law against POGO and the law enforcement agencies’ campaign to hold the remaining POGOs and other types of online scams in the country accountable.

The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 also sentenced Guo's co-accused Rachelle Malonzo Carreon, Jaimielyn Cruz, and Walter Wong Rong, Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang, Lang Xu Po to life imprisonment, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Guo, who is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory, will be immediately transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, while her co-accused will be detained at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

The case was connected with the raid on a POGO hub in Guo’s town in June 2024, where over 800 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued.

In September 2024, Guo pleaded not guilty to the charges. Atty. Nicole Jamilla, one of her lawyers, said the embattled former mayor is firmly denying the allegations against her.—AOL, GMA Integrated News