Alice Guo and the other accused were charged with violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003. The DOJ stated that the case was filed at the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Tuesday afternoon.
Also charged were Huang Zhiyang, Zhang Ruijin, and Lin Baoying, among others. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) identified Huang as the mastermind behind an illegal online gambling hub.
Last week, Deputy Justice Minister Nicky Ty stated that under the law, individuals from companies or organizations involved in human trafficking can be held accountable. He explained, "As long as you can prove your association with the company or organization and involvement in human trafficking, you can be charged with human trafficking."
The complaint was submitted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in June this year and was submitted for resolution on August 6. Alice Guo admitted that she signed the last page of her statement of defense before leaving the Philippines in July.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has approved the request of Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla to transfer cases related to POGO from the Capas, Tarlac court to Pasig City.
In a 7-page notice, the Supreme Court instructed judges in Tarlac and other regions of Luzon to transfer records involving POGO and similar cases to the office of the clerk of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) or the Metropolitan Trial Court of Pasig City. Remulla's request was based on national interest, public trust, and the fairness of judicial proceedings.
Remulla noted that local biases could affect the fairness of the trials, hence the need to change the venue. The Supreme Court stated, "The reasons provided by Minister Remulla are sufficient to justify the necessity of changing the venue."
In an interview on Tuesday, Deputy Minister Zheng stated that the Supreme Court's order covered all cases to be brought against Alice Guo. "The Supreme Court has transferred all cases against Alice Guo, including the human trafficking case, to Pasig City. We interpret this order to cover all cases related to Tarlac."
In addition, Alice Guo also faces corruption charges filed in Valenzuela City, as well as money laundering charges submitted by the DOJ.
