TARLAKENYO (December 21, 2024) — The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has denied the petition for bail filed by Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, and her co-accused in their qualified trafficking case.
RTC Branch 167 ruled against the petition after the prosecution presented strong evidence during the bail hearing.
The court found the evidence sufficient to deny bail. Guo remains detained at the Pasig City Jail’s female dormitory.
The trafficking charges arose from a March 13 raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban. The operation rescued over 800 Filipinos and foreign nationals allegedly held under exploitative conditions. Guo and her co-accused are charged under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by subsequent legislation.
In September, Guo pleaded not guilty, with her lawyer, Atty. Nicole Jamilla, asserting her innocence. Beyond the trafficking charges, Guo faces a slew of legal battles, including:
- A graft case in a Valenzuela City court.
- A material misrepresentation case in a Tarlac court.
- A quo warranto petition and a petition to cancel her birth certificate in separate Manila and Tarlac courts.
- Complaints filed with the Department of Justice for tax evasion, 87 counts of money laundering, perjury, and falsification.
Guo has consistently denied all accusations.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported yesterday the arrest of a Chinese woman allegedly involved with an illegal POGO and also has possible links to the raided Bamban hub.
The BI said that the Chinese national, Pan Meishu, also known as Hannah, 49, was arrested in Pasay City on Thursday.
She will remain in BI’s custody while undergoing deportation proceedings.
