BuCor denies 'special treatment' given to Alice Guo

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Thursday denied allegations that former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is receiving special treatment at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

According to the BuCor, malicious and unfounded reports were sent to the media with no clear source about possible special treatment of Guo after she was allegedly visited by two men described as "Chinese-looking."

However, the bureau said only Guo's lawyers have been permitted to visit her, based on the records of the CIW.

Aside from this, CIW Chief Superintendent Marjorie Ann Sanidad denied allegations that Guo obtained a personal cellphone, saying this is strictly prohibited.

She said this policy is uniformly applied to all individuals, including BuCor employees and personnel. 

Catapang, meanwhile, said Guo is undergoing a five-day quarantine period following her transfer from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology last week.

A Pasig court recently found Guo guilty of qualified human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment.

“Nothing New”

In a statement, political prisoner advocate group KAPATID said that reports of special treatment being provided for “VIP” prisoners like Guo are “nothing new.”

“Families of political prisoners have long observed how VIPs—Very Important PDLs—receive conveniences routinely denied to those who are poor with no influence or resources,” said KAPATID Spokesperson Fides Lim.

Lim pointed out that while special treatment was allegedly being given to Guo, basic amenities like water dispensers and rice cookers being brought to political prisoners at the NBP Maximum Compound are being denied.

“[These] have been impounded for over a year now. Hindi ibinibigay sa matatanda at maysakit na political prisoners na nag-request nito, (It is not being given to the elderly and sickly political prisoners that have requested it.)” she said.

“Some prisoners are clearly more equal than others. More than high time for a full investigation into these glaring disparities,” she added. — VDV/RF, GMA Integrated News