National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago revealed that the co-accused individuals of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo surrendered due to concerns for their safety.
"Natatakot daw po sila sa kanilang buhay kaya boluntaryo na pong sumurrender sa amin," Santiago said in an exclusive interview with DZRH for Damdaming Bayan on Tuesday.
Five individuals voluntarily surrendered to the NBI Region 3 office, while two male suspects went to the NBI office in Quezon City to submit themselves.
Santiago mentioned that the individuals claim they had no knowledge of the situation. The five of them assert that they are simply market vendors who suddenly found themselves listed as incorporators.
"Sila-sila rin naman po ang subject ng warrant of arrest. Ito po ay mga Pilipino itong mga sumerrender satin pero kasama po mga Chinese ang dami po, ay hindi po sumusurrender at hinahanap po namin ngayon," said Santiago.
The NBI director stated that the non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges filed against the individuals were initially submitted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). The Department of Justice (DOJ) later found probable cause, leading to the case being filed in the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC).
The Pasig RTC issued a warrant of arrest against Guo and the other accused individuals.
"Pansamantala po nasa kustodiya namin [sa NBI ang mga akusado]. Nagreturn na kami ng warrant of arrest as far as this seven accused are concerned. Nag-aantay kami ng commitment order kung saan ipapakulong ng Pasig court," Satiago said.
Currently, at least eight Chinese individuals are at large, and NBI agents are actively searching for them.
On September 23, seven co-accused of Guo surrendered, claiming to have no connection or knowledge of the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Tarlac.
