Alice Guo could face human trafficking charges – PAOCC director

By: Jean Mangaluz – 49 seconds ago

MANILA, Philippines — Alice Guo, suspended mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac, could face human trafficking charges this week, an official of the Presidential Commission on Organized Crime (PAOCC) said.

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio explained that Guo may be responsible for the crime because she partially owned the properties where alleged human trafficking activities were taking place.

“We are confident that we will be able to file charges of human trafficking against the embattled mayor of Bamban. Now we have also seen other possible charges related to money laundering as well as other charges – minor charges so to speak,” he said on ANC's Headstart on Monday.

READ: BIR attacks Alice Guo's tax files, possible tax evasion

“Of course, by this week, we will be able to file human trafficking charges against Guo and his co-conspirators,” he added.

READ: Alice Guo ordered to be suspended from her post as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac

Casio cited a provision of the anti-human trafficking law that penalizes building and property owners who allow their estates to be used for human trafficking.

READ: Bamban Mayor Alice Guo says she spent only P134,000 in 2022 campaign

Guo earlier claimed she sold her stake in Baofu Land, the property in Tarlac where government authorities raided an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) identified as Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in March.

According to Casio, even if Guo can say she sold her share of Baofu Land before running for mayor in 2022, she could still be guilty because she was the one who signed the lease agreements between Zun Yuan Technology Inc . and Baofu Land.

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