Pasig court commits Alice Guo to women's correctional

A Pasig CIty court on Thursday ordered the detention of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City following her conviction for qualified human trafficking.

"[T]he court hereby commits to your lawful custody and care of accused Alice Leal Guo, Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, and Jaimielyn Santos Cruz," the four-page commitment order dated November 27 read.

The commitment order was addressed to the Corrections Superintendent of the CIW.

This developed after the Pasig Regional Trial Court-Branch 167 found Guo guilty of qualified human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment.

Promptly after her conviction, Guo's camp filed a motion for her to remain at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory instead of being transferred to the CIW. 

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) previously said it is fully prepared to accept Guo and other individuals.

In a statement, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. assured that security measures are being enhanced at the CIW.

"The initial phase includes the verification of her documents and belongings before she is quarantined in the RDC for five days during which a thorough medical examination will be undertaken," the BuCor said.

"She will then be transferred to the RDC regular dormitory where she will undergo the mandatory orientation, diagnostics and qualification," it added.

Afterwards, Guo will be transferred to a regular dormitory at the Maximum Security Camp.

Guo and others were charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.

The case is connected with the raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban in June 2024, where over 800 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued. — VDV/JMA, GMA Integrated News