Human Trafficking Case Against Mayor Alice Guo Submitted for Resolution

The human trafficking complaint against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and several others has officially been submitted for resolution, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano. The development came following the conclusion of a preliminary hearing at the DOJ on Tuesday, August 6.

“Si Mayor Alice Guo at tatlo pang Chinese incorporators ay hindi nakapag-file, at napagdesisyunan ng panel of prosecutors na hindi na sila bigyan ng isa pang pagkakataon o extension,” Clavano revealed during an ambush interview. “As to them din po, submitted for resolution na rin ang kasong ito,” he was quoted as saying in an article published by GMA Network.

Mayor Guo did not appear before the DOJ to file her counteraffidavit. The charges against her stem from a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub located in her municipality, where over 800 foreign nationals were rescued, leading to the serious allegations of human trafficking. Guo and her co-respondents are facing a criminal case for violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

While the case against Guo and her co-accused moves forward, Clavano noted that three other respondents, including former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, were granted an extension to file their counter-affidavits. They were given an extension of 10 days, or up to August 16, to file their response

“Yung iba po ay wala dito sa bansa, yung iba din ay nag-change po ng counsel, so yun yung mga reasons. And one was recently impleaded so tama na rin na nabigyan siya ng extension ng panel of prosecutors,” Clavano explained.

The DOJ has scheduled the next preliminary hearing for August 16. Meanwhile, other respondents involved in the case have already submitted their counter-affidavits.

Guo is facing arrest after she was cited for contempt for failing to appear at a Senate hearing for the second time on July 10. Guo has not been seen in public since her last Senate appearance in May.

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