MANILA, Philippines — Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and her co-accused in human trafficking charges, will remain in jail after a local court dismissed her petition for bail.
The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 167 said it denied the petition of Guo, Rita Sapnu Yturralde, Rowena Gonzales Evangelista, Thelma Barrogo Laranan, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro and Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon because of the “strong evidence” against them.
It, however, allowed co-accused, Maybelline Requiro Millo and Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, to post bail because the evidence against the tow were “weak.”
Guo is detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.
Guo and her co-accused are charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended by the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
Guo’s case stemmed from a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her town in June, to which over 800 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued.
She is also facing a graft case before a Valenzuela court and a material misrepresentation case before a Tarlac court.
A quo warranto petition was also filed against Guo at a Manila court.
Another petition seeking to cancel her birth certificate has been filed before a Tarlac court.
Guo is also slapped with tax evasion, 87 counts for money laundering, and a perjury and falsification complaint before the Department of Justice.
