Former Bamban mayor pleads not guilty to human trafficking

Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty on Friday to qualified human trafficking charges during her arraignment at the Pasig Regional Trial Court via videoconference.

Guo's legal counsel, Atty. Nicole Jamilla, stated that Guo had no involvement in the allegations and described herself as a victim of false accusations.

A Pasig City court issued an arrest warrant for Guo and several others for qualified human trafficking, transferring her from Camp Crame to Pasig City Jail.

The arraignment of co-accused Walter Wong Long was suspended due to legal arguments by his defense team claiming a violation of due process rights since he was not included in the preliminary investigation.

Guo faces numerous cases, including several counts of human trafficking and money laundering, and is suspected of feigning a Filipino identity to facilitate illegal activities related to Philippine offshore gaming operators.

The Senate initially had the sole right to detain Guo after issuing a warrant for her arrest due to her failure to attend hearings, but she remains in Pasig City Jail awaiting further proceedings.