Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, pleaded not guilty to qualified human trafficking charges in a Pasig court on Friday. Guo entered her plea through a videoconference at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167, according to her lawyer, Atty. Nicole Jamilla.
Guo, who is facing accusations linked to a raid at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac, denies involvement in the alleged trafficking. The June raid resulted in the rescue of over 800 individuals, both Filipinos and foreigners.
Guo’s legal counsel emphasized her firm stance in denying the charges. “She has no participation in the trafficking case,” Jamilla said.
The Pasig RTC previously ordered Guo’s transfer from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory. Aside from this case, Guo is also facing charges of graft, tax evasion, money laundering, and multiple other legal proceedings across different courts.
Meanwhile, the arraignment of Walter Long, a Malaysian national arrested at the same POGO hub, was postponed due to a pending motion to suspend the case. His lawyer claims his right to due process has been violated.
