Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the transfer of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Quezon City to the Pasig City Jail female dormitory in connection with her qualified human trafficking case.
In a four-page order, Pasig RTC Branch 167 presiding judge Annielyn Cabelis said the court found probable cause to hold Guo and her co-accused for trial.
Guo’s co-accused are Huang Zhiyang, Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Zhang Ruijin, Baoying Lin, Yu Zheng Can, Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Roderick Paul Bernardo Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpas, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro, Rita Sapnu Yturralde, Rowena Gonzales Evangelista, Thelma Barrogo Laranan, Maybelline Requiro Millo (a.k.a. Shana Yiyi) and Walter Wong Long.
Long, a Malaysian national currently detained at the Tarlac Provincial Jail, was among those apprehended at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Bamban, Tarlac during a raid in March.
They are also charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
The accused “are not entitled to post bail as the charges against them are all non-bailable,” the order said.
The Pasig court scheduled the arraignment and pre-trial of Guo and Long on Sept. 27 at 8:30 a.m. via videoconferencing.
Guo will return to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame after her graft case arraignment before Valenzuela City RTC Branch 95 as her transfer is being arranged.
PNP ready for Guo transfer
The PNP, meanwhile, said it has received the court order for Guo’s transfer.
“We will follow the court’s order. We are also awaiting the disposition of the Valenzuela court today during their arraignment and pre-trial, if it would issue a commitment order with respect to the case filed against her in Valenzuela. But since the Pasig RTC has issued an order, we will honor this order,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Last week, the graft case against Guo was transferred from a Capas, Tarlac lower court to the Valenzuela RTC due to lack of jurisdiction under Republic Act 10660 (Functional and Structural Organization of the Sandiganbayan).
Fajardo said once Guo is transferred to the Pasig City Jail, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will supervise whenever Guo has a hearing at the Senate or the House of Representatives.
The PNP is ready to provide additional security in transporting the dismissed mayor, if needed, Fajardo said. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
