Jakarta, movistar21 — The Pasig Regional Trial Court has sentenced former Bamban mayor Alice Guo to life imprisonment after finding her guilty of orchestrating a large-scale human trafficking operation and managing an illegal online gambling complex that exploited hundreds of workers through coercion, threats, and violence.
The landmark ruling concludes a high-profile case that has drawn national and international attention since early 2024, following revelations about Guo’s fabricated identity and her involvement in transnational criminal operations.
Background of the Case
The case began in March 2024, when Philippine authorities raided a vast compound in Bamban, Tarlac, believed to be controlled by Guo. The property functioned as a self-contained facility, complete with office buildings, luxury villas, residential quarters, and a swimming pool.
More than seven hundred workers from various countries were rescued during the operation. Many were allegedly held against their will and forced to work in online scam centers and illegal gambling operations under threats, intimidation, and restricted movement.
Fabricated Identity and Political Position
Investigations revealed that Alice Guo, who previously served as mayor of Bamban, was in fact a Chinese national operating under a falsified Filipino identity. Using fraudulent documents, Guo managed to acquire local citizenship and subsequently secure a mayoral post.
The court affirmed that Guo was never legally eligible to hold public office, stating that her position had been used to shield and expand the criminal activities she supervised.
Findings of the Court
During the trial, prosecutors presented strong evidence showing that Guo:
Organized and oversaw a human trafficking network that recruited, detained, and exploited foreign workers.
Operated a large-scale online gambling and scam center within the Bamban compound.
Leveraged her political office to avoid scrutiny and facilitate illegal activities.
Directed operations through multiple companies registered under her control.
In addition to life imprisonment, the court ordered:
Substantial financial penalties under the country’s anti-trafficking laws.
Forfeiture of assets, including the entire Bamban compound.
Permanent revocation of business registrations of companies involved in the operation.
Arrest and Extradition
After the March 2024 raid, Guo fled the Philippines. She was apprehended in Indonesia in September 2024 and extradited back to Manila to face charges. She attended the sentencing via video conference from her detention facility.
Government and Public Response
The Philippine government welcomed the ruling as a major victory in its fight against:
Transnational organized crime
Human trafficking
Online scam syndicates
Abuse of public office
The case has also prompted intensified scrutiny of online gambling operations and reforms in identity verification systems for public officials.
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