The Department of Justice is planning to file human trafficking charges against Alice Guo


Manila, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to file a qualified human trafficking case this week against former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her alleged business partners, including the alleged POGO "big boss," Huang Zhiyang.   

The Supreme Court has approved the DOJ's request to transfer the hearing from Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 of Capas, Tarlac, to the Pasig Regional Trial Court. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla requested the transfer in a letter dated April 22, 2024, addressed to Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo. 

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, head of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, said that the key factor in requesting the transfer was the involvement of Mayor Alice Guo and her associates, which include three corporations: Baofu, Hongsheng, and Zun Yuan. The evidence clearly shows their involvement in facilitating the criminal activities of the POGO operation. 

The Justice Department says that they are confident that sufficient evidence was found against the respondents, leading to the continuation of the case. DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said that prosecutors and law enforcement have determined that when all the evidence is pieced together, it shows a deep involvement by former Mayor Alice Guo in human trafficking.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the laws of the land in order to avoid the miscarriage of justice. The DOJ vows that they will prosecute these cases with burning resolve and integrity.

Cases filed under Republic Act (RA) 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, carry no bail and are punishable by life imprisonment. Earlier, Guo's graft case was transferred to the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court. Guo is also facing complaints for tax evasion and money laundering at the DOJ.

Guo’s camp has yet to issue a statement regarding the impending filing of the DOJ's human trafficking case against the former mayor and her co-respondents.

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