A PASIG court on Thursday delivered a landmark verdict, finding former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo guilty of qualified human trafficking and sentencing her to life imprisonment. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) shared the information, marking a significant victory in the fight against human trafficking in the Philippines.
Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 also sentenced Guo’s co-accused – Rachelle Malonzo Carreon, Jaimielyn Cruz, Walter Wong Rong, Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang, and Lang Xu Po – to life imprisonment.
In addition to the prison sentences, each of the convicted individuals was ordered to pay a fine of P2 million per case, along with monetary reparations to the victim-complainants. The court further ordered the forfeiture of the P6-billion Baofu compound in favor of the government and the permanent revocation of the registration of Baofu Land Development Inc., Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., and Zun Yuan Technology Inc.
Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas hailed the decision, noting the swiftness of the proceedings and the favorable outcome for the prosecution. Guo will be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, while her co-accused will be detained at the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
The PAOCC celebrated the decision as a victory for the government, the victims, and the international community. PAOCC Executive Director Benjamin Acorda Jr. emphasized the collaborative effort of various agencies in achieving this outcome.
The case stems from a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Guo’s town in June 2024, which led to the rescue of over 800 individuals. Guo and her co-accused were charged with violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. While Guo had pleaded not guilty to the charges, the court found sufficient evidence to convict her of the crime. GMA Integrated News has reached out to Guo’s camp for comment and will publish it once available.
