Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, was found guilty of qualified trafficking in persons by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 on Thursday, November 20.
According to RH Edniel Parrosa's report, in the 111-page decision, Guo and several co-accused were convicted in relation to human trafficking activities uncovered inside the Baofu compound, a facility tied to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hub earlier raided in her town in Bamban.
The court sentenced Guo, along with Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, Rachelle Malonzo Carreon, and Malaysian national, Walter Wong Rong to "reclusion perpetua" and imposed a ₱2-million fine for organizing human trafficking operations inside the compound. They were also ordered to provide monetary reparations to the rescued victims.
The decision likewise found Wang Weili, Wuli Dong, Nong Ding Chang, and Lang Xu Po guilty of acts of trafficking, carrying the same penalty of life imprisonment and a ₱2-million fine each.
Meanwhile, several Filipino women incorporators who claimed their identities had been stolen were acquitted.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of Baofu Land Development Inc., which had leased spaces to Zun Yuan Technology, the POGO operation raided by authorities.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) following a police raid that rescued around 800 victims.
Victory for the Philippines
In an interview, PAOCC executive director retired Gen. Benjamin Acorda welcomed the ruling, calling it a “symbolic victory for the Philippines” in its campaign against illegal POGO hubs and large-scale human trafficking.
"This is a victory not only for my office but sa lahat ng ahensya ng nagtrabaho dito...Para sa bansa ito," he said.
He noted that this was the first conviction under the organizing provision of Section 4L of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
Former PAOCC chief and current OTS administrator Gilbert Cruz also celebrated the decision.
Following the conviction, Guo was currently transferred from the Pasig City Female Dormitory to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong.
The other convicted foreign nationals will likewise be transferred to the Bureau of Corrections.
