Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty to the qualified human trafficking charges filed against her at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) on September 27.
Guo made this statement during the case arraignment at Pasig RTC Branch 176, conducted via video conference.
In a brief statement, Guo’s legal counsel, Atty. Nicole Jamilla emphasized that her client is innocent of the charges.
“[In the] arraignment, ma’am pleaded not guilty to the crime alleged,” Jamilla said during an interview with the media.
“Hindi siya guilty sa sinasabi nila. Kasi ang allegation is qualified human trafficking so number one, she has no participation naman po talaga,” she added.
The case stemmed from a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban, which led to the rescue of around 800 foreign nationals and Filipinos.
The Pasig RTC had previously ordered the transfer of Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame to the female dormitory at Pasig City Jail.
Aside from the qualified human trafficking case, Guo is also facing graft charges at the Valenzuela RTC, as well as tax evasion and money laundering cases at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
