COURT ORDERS ALICE GUO TRANSFER TO PASIG CITY JAIL

THE Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the transfer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to the city jail on charges of qualified human trafficking.

Pasig RTC Branch 167 Presiding Judge Annielyn Cabelis has ordered the transfer of Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Quezon City to the Pasig City Jail female dormitory.

The court said it found probable cause to hold Guo and her co-accused for trial.

Among 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 alias “Shana Yiyi” and Walter Wong Long.

Long, a Malaysian national currently detained at the Tarlac Provincial Jail, was among those arrested 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 court said the charges are all non-bailable.

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.

Meanwhile, the PNP said it has received the court order for Guo’s transfer.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they will follow the court order as they await the disposition of the Valenzuela court if it would issue a commitment order regarding the case filed against Guo  in Valenzuela.

Earlier, the graft case against Guo was transferred from a Capas, Tarlac lower court to the Valenzuela RTC for lack of jurisdiction.