POGO Treasurer, Corporate Secretary Claim Alice Guo Paid Them to Hide From Authorities

September 24, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Two associates of Alice Guo surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last Sunday, September 22, 2024.

According to a report published by ABS-CBN, the treasurer and corporate secretary of Zun Yuan Technology claimed that they were paid by dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to hide from authorities.

They also claimed that were used by Guo to serve as incorporators of Zun Yuan, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub which was raided because of complaints of human trafficking and money laundering activities.

The treasurer and corporate secretary narrated that their business used to buy and sell cars. However, in 2023, they were allegedly approached by the staff of Guo to lend their names as incorporators of Zun Yuan in exchange for P10,000 and a monthly dividend. They were reportedly offered a monthly dividend of P50,000 – P100,000 depending on the quota but this amount was never given to them.

The treasurer claimed that they wanted to come forward and tell authorities what they knew about the POGO hub but Guo’s camp supposedly gave them cash and instructed them to relocate. “Binigyan kami ng P500,000 para lumipat ng bahay. Sabi po ni Jeremy Santos, galing daw po kay Mayora, Alice Guo.”

Jeremy is the husband of Patty Santos, Guo’s former chief of staff.

Meanwhile, the NBI announced on September 23, 2024, that it has taken custody of other individuals implicated in the qualified human trafficking case against Guo. The case is currently being heard in a Pasig City court.

During a media briefing, NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that five co-accused surrendered to the NBI Central Luzon office. Among them is Jamielyn Santos Cruz, the president of the POGO Zun Yuan Technology Center. The other two co-accused, the treasurer and secretary of the same POGO hub, turned themselves in to Task Force Bamban.

The individuals include:
– Jamielyn Santos Cruz (President, Zun Yuan)
– Juan Miguel Alpas (Treasurer, Zun Yuan)
– Roderick Paul Bernardo Puajante (Secretary, Zun Yuan)
– Thelma Barrogo Requiro (President and CEO, Hongshen)
– Rita Sapnu Uyturralde (Treasurer, Hengshen)
– Rowena Evangelista
– Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon

The accused stated that they surrendered to clear their names. Some claimed they did not know Guo personally and were merely asked to sign a certificate of incorporation by Jeremy Santos, the husband of Guo’s former chief of staff.

Santos Cruz acknowledged knowing Guo from her time in local media but insisted that Guo did not encourage her to invest in the gaming business. “It was another person who offered me to invest. She is not even part of my business,” Cruz was quoted as saying in a report published by The Manila Times. “There is no human trafficking happening within our business. We are being presented to the public as bad people but we are not criminals. My business is legitimate.”

The NBI plans to submit a Return of Warrant to the court and will await a Commitment Order to determine the location of detention for the accused.

Alice Guo has been moved to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory from the PNP Custodial Center in Quezon City. In addition to the human trafficking allegations, Guo faces graft and money laundering charges.