Alice Guo pleads ‘not guilty’ to qualified human trafficking

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty to qualified human trafficking charges on Friday, according to her counsel.

Guo participated in the arraignment proceedings via videoconference while Atty. Nicole Jamilla personally appeared before the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167.

“She has no participation in trafficking really. That is right, without going into further details, because we might be subjugated. But on the part of our client, she is firm that she is not guilty of the crime she is accused of,” Jamilla said.

The non-bailable offense stemmed from the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Guo, also identified as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is accused of involvement with a company that dealt with Zun Yuan Technology Inc., a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub located in Bamban, which was raided in March.

Aside from her human trafficking case, Guo is also facing a graft case before a Valenzuela court as well as tax evasion and money laundering complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a Senate hearing this week, Guo agreed to disclose the “most guilty” behind crimes linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).