Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo has filed a motion seeking to remain detained at the Pasig City Female Dormitory after being convicted of qualified human trafficking last week.
Motion Halts Immediate Transfer
According to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio, the motion has temporarily stopped Guo's urgent transfer to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. The legal maneuver comes just days after Guo and seven associates received reclusion perpetua sentences for their involvement in human trafficking operations.
Pogo Hub Origins of the Case
The case against Guo emerged from criminal activities discovered at an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban. In 2024, authorities raided Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated (ZYTI), resulting in the arrest of 800 employees, including approximately 500 foreigners, with 427 of them identified as Chinese nationals.
The raid placed Guo under intense scrutiny for her failure to address the illegal Pogo operations that were operating suspiciously close to the Bamban municipal hall. This proximity raised serious questions about potential collusion or negligence in her official capacity as mayor.
Identity Investigation Deepens
Following the conviction, multiple government agencies have launched investigations into Guo's true identity. The National Bureau of Investigation conducted fingerprint examinations that revealed Alice Guo is the same person as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, adding another layer of complexity to the already controversial case.
The identity revelation has sparked broader concerns about foreign influence in local government positions and the integrity of public officials' documentation processes across the Philippines.
