Philippine authorities charge “POGO Mayor” with human trafficking

Philippine authorities have filed a qualified human trafficking complaint against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo at the Department of Justice (DOJ). The complaint was submitted on Friday by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

The DOJ accepted the complaint against Guo, also known as “Guo Hua Ping,” and several others for violating Sections 4 and 6 of the Philippines Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, amended by RA 10364 and RA 11862.

The complaint also includes former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, 12 officers and incorporators of three companies, and Guo’s alleged business partners Huang Zhiyang, Zhang Ruijin, and Baoying Li.

Philippine authorities file human trafficking case vs “POGO Mayor”

Huang is a fugitive in China, while Zhang and Baoying are allegedly linked to a major money laundering case in Singapore.

The charges stem from a raid at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban town in March this year. The PAOCC presented two boxes of documents as evidence.

“Evidence surfaced, like her applying for permits for the former POGO from the local government, and her involvement in the lessor company. Her name also appeared in various documents found in the POGO compound,” DOJ Undersecretary and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking chairperson Nicholas Ty said in a press briefing.

Ty mentioned that more cases could be filed against Guo and others as further evidence is collected. State Prosecutor Benjamin Samson said authorities believe Cunanan is part of a “grand conspiracy.”

“We discovered Zun Yuan’s operation started with one corporation, Baofu, and then another was created. In one corporation, we found a document with Mr. Dennis Cunanan’s name. After compiling the evidence, we concluded he is part of the grand conspiracy to commit labor trafficking,” he said.

Philippine authorities file human trafficking case vs “POGO Mayor”

With the case now filed, Ty stated the DOJ is processing the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against Guo, hoping it will be signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla next week.

“We can’t deny that anyone charged with a crime is a flight risk, especially with resources to leave the country. However, Mayor Guo and her representatives have expressed she wants to face the allegations,” Ty said.

Meanwhile, PNP-CIDG chief Major General Leo Francisco pledged to intensify efforts against illegal POGOs.

“In collaboration with PAOCC and other law enforcement agencies, we are strengthening our fight against these illegal POGOs, and the PNP, especially the PNP-CIDG, is united in this effort,” he said.

Original Story by: AGB