Justice Ministry opens preliminary investigation into trafficking case against Guo and 13 others

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday conducted its first preliminary investigation into the case of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several others for alleged human trafficking.

The case stems from the complaint filed by the Presidential Commission on Organized Crime (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) with the Ministry of Justice on June 21, alleging that Guo and 13 other respondents were involved in the establishment/operation of Baofu Complex, formerly Hongshen Technology, later Zun Yuan Technology, two POGO hubs that were allegedly involved in forced labor, human trafficking, online fraud and investment scams.

The respondents were allegedly fully aware of the illegal activities that were continuing inside the Baofu complex.

As reported, the authorities discovered and established the close connection between Zun Yuan of Baofu Compound with Guo and the respondents, which resulted in the filing of these cases.

“No one will be spared from this investigation, heads will roll as soon as we find reasonable grounds to do so,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

In an interview, Mayor Alice Gou's lawyer said after the preliminary investigation that there was no direct evidence against his client in terms of human trafficking.

Lawyer Alex Avisado said the evidence against the mayor was “forced” and stressed that Gou was not linked to any human trafficking activity.

“An electricity bill as proof, statutes, a letter of no objection, is that already human trafficking?” Avisado said.