Mayor Alice Guo and others face human trafficking complaint

MANILA: A human trafficking offense classified as non-release was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo (pictured), suspended, Friday, June 21, due to its connection to a raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub of the province.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Commission on Organized Crime also included in the complaint former Technology Resource Center Dennis Cunanan, Chinese national Huang Zhiyang and leaders of the Center technology of Zun Yuan.

“And we believe that there are other individuals, and there is strong evidence, who are involved in the conspiracy to commit qualified human trafficking,” said Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking prosecutor, Benjamin Samson.

“Compelling evidence has surfaced linking Mayor Alice Leal Guo, who is now Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Dennis L. Cunanan, a Chinese national named Huang Zhiyang, and executives of companies operating in the complex or hub located at Bamban, Tarlac allegedly owned by Mayor Guo herself,” read the press release given to reporters.

The Ombudsman's Office suspended Guo as a precaution while an investigation is conducted against her.

She faces an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for serious misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interests of the service and gross negligence of her duties. -Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN