According to a press release issued on Sunday (September 15), Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla, in a letter dated April 22 to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, urged the Supreme Court to transfer criminal cases number 9855-9857 (PP vs. Ma The Pong, Wang Weili, Lang Xu, and others) to the Metropolitan Manila area. These cases were initially filed at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 in Capas.
Remulla pointed out the urgent need to protect national interests and ensure the fairness of the judicial system, as these high-profile cases transcend local boundaries, affecting national security and general policy.
Furthermore, Remulla emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the trial process, requiring the use of a neutral trial venue and obtaining court approval to prevent potential local bias or undue influence.
The Supreme Court found the request justified and ordered the lower court in Capas to transfer all documents related to the disputed cases to the Pasig City RTC.
In addition to Alice Guo, others charged in court include her business partners, among them a foreigner named Huang Zhiyang, referred to as the "big boss" of illegal offshore gaming operators in the Philippines.
These charges stem from complaints filed by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
Under the human trafficking law, individuals who establish institutions involved in human trafficking may be held accountable for human trafficking, even if they did not directly participate in related acts such as torture, rape, or forced labor.
In a statement, Remulla said: "I commend the Supreme Court for its unwavering commitment to upholding national laws, avoiding judicial injustice, and the DOJ swears we will prosecute these cases with firm determination and integrity."
