Suspended Tarlac mayor faces human trafficking charges over POGO raids

Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo faces additional charges related to her alleged involvement with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hubs.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) have filed human trafficking complaints against Guo and others following a raid on an illegal POGO hub in her municipality.

PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston John Casio stated that more charges are being prepared, including those related to raids in Porac, Pampanga, which establish Guo's connection to the operations.

Digital evidence from raided POGO hubs suggests a possible expansion of cases against Guo in Porac or additional charges for her involvement in Bamban. PAOCC is also set to file charges against two foreign Pogo workers identified as kidnappers and torturers, 12 other foreign nationals connected to the illegal POGO operations, and Cassandra Lee Ong.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada called on the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to consider freezing all of Guo's assets to safeguard public funds and ensure accountability.

Guo is already under a six-month preventive suspension without pay from the Office of the Ombudsman following complaints for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the service.