Ex-Bamban mayor moved
to Pasig jail; tested negative
for possible lung infection
The National Bureau of Investigation said seven alleged co-conspirators of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in illegal POGO operations surrendered.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the Pasig regional trial court earlier issued arrest warrants against Guo and her cohorts for qualified trafficking charges in relation to the raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
“It appears that they are the persons responsible for the corporations that we can say are all bogus corporations of Alice Guo… We will let the court decide whether to appreciate their testimonies,” Santiago said.
He said suspects Roderick Paul Bernardo Puajante and Juan Miguel Alpas surrendered to Task Force Bamban while Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Rita Sapnu Uyturralde, Rowena Gonzales Evangelista, and Thelma Barrogo Requiro turned themselves in to NBI regional director for Central Luzon Ricardo Apolinar.
Santiago said Cruz is the president of Zun Yuan Technology owned by Guo, Alpas is the treasurer, and Puajante is the secretary.
On the other hand, Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. incorporators include Uyturralde as treasurer, Requiro as CEO, and Evangelista with no position indicated.
Both Hongsheng Gaming Technology and Zun Yuan Technology are POGOs that have links to human trafficking and money laundering activities.
As this developed, Guo, known as Guo Hua Ping, was transferred to Pasig City Jail on Monday from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
Pasig City Regional Trial Court-Branch 167 is hearing her non-bailable case of qualified human trafficking.
Guo was earlier found to have a suspected lung infection, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.
“As a matter of procedure before turning over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, she underwent a required medical and physical examination conducted by the PNP General Hospital and the forensic group. During the medical examination, the doctor found a probable infection in her left lung,” Fajardo said.
BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera, however, said Guo eventually tested negative for tuberculosis and COVID-19.
Bustinera said Guo will housed in Cell No. 3, which currently houses 43 other inmates.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Alice Guo cohorts surrender to NBI.”
