The Department of Justice (DOJ) will start on Friday, July 5, its preliminary investigation into the criminal cases filed against Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and several others for qualified trafficking in persons.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed to file appropriate cases if the pieces of evidence are deemed sufficient to prosecute the Bamban town mayor and the other respondents, who are allegedly involved in forced labor, human trafficking, online fraud and investments.
“No one will be spared from this investigation, heads will roll once we find probable cause to do so,” Remulla emphasized.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) before the DOJ last June 21, 2024 against Guo and 13 other respondents.
They are accused of playing crucial roles in the establishment/operations of Baofu compound, previously Hongshen Technology, which subsequently became Zun Yuan Technology. The companies are reportedly involved in criminal activities inside the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hubs in Tarlac.
Police investigators said the respondents allegedly were fully aware of the illegal activities persisting inside the Baofu compound.
Reports also indicated that authorities were able to discover and establish the close link between Zun Yuan in Baofu compound with Guo and her co-accused, which resulted in the filing of these cases.
PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston John Casio said more charges were being prepared to be filed against the embattled mayor, this time over her supposed connection in the raided illegal POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
“We have additional cases being prepared this week, maybe up until next week. When we have completed the documentary requirements, the complaint affidavit and all, we will also file the case with the DOJ,” Casio vowed.
Casio said digital footprints and paper trails of raided POGO hubs in Porac and Bamban established Guo’s connection to their operations.
“Since we have filed cases against her for the Bamban POGO, there’s a possibility that cases will be filed against her in connection with the Porac POGO, or additional charges may be filed with regard to Bamban,” he said.
Guo, whose identity and citizenship have been questioned, was placed under a six-month preventive suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 31.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed administrative complaints against her for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.