Guo asks DOJ to dismiss human trafficking complaint

Former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the qualified human trafficking complaint filed against her and others.

Guo’s counter-affidavit was filed days after the complaint against her was submitted for resolution at the Justice Department on August 6.

It was notarized on August 14 in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan.

“I am executing this counter-affidavit to attest to the truth of all the foregoing statements and in support of my prayer for the dismissal of the complaint,” the counter-affidavit read.

The DOJ conducted three preliminary hearings on the complaint, none of which were personally attended by Guo.

Asked if Gou gave a reason on why she should be allowed to submit her counter-affidavit, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said she cited her security as one of the reasons.

“Parang parehong dahilan na binibigay niya sa Senado for her non-appearance, no, na takot siya, for her security, and for her mental health as well,” Ty said in an ambush interview.

(It’s like the same reasons she gave the Senate for her non-appearance. That she’s scared, for her security, and for her mental health as well.)

Counter-affidavit

In her counter-affidavit, Guo argued that the complainants failed to establish her participation in the crime of human trafficking.

According to Guo, the only basis for implicating her for human trafficking was “mere electric bills and documents” of the Baofu Land Development, Inc.

“It was alleged that I had personal knowledge of the illegal activities in the POGO compound simply because I am a former stockholder of Baofu Corporation,” it said.

She argued that she supposedly sold her shares of Baofu to Jack Uy. The Zun Yuan Technology, the POGO entity raided in March, is located inside the Baofu compound behind the Bamban Municipal Hall.

“Clearly, it is unjust to accuse me of committing human trafficking simply because I am a mayor. My position should not be used as a basis for unfounded allegations, especially when there is no credible evidence to support such claims,” she said.

Guo also said that the complaint was “nothing but a politically motivated smear campaign.”

“The allegations against me are being exploited by individuals who are more interested in leveraging this issue for their own political ambitions and enhancing their public image rather than seeking the truth,” she said.

The human trafficking complaint was filed against her and others in connection to the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Guo’s municipality, where over 800 foreign nationals were rescued.

The complainants are the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

Guo’s counter-affidavit was attached to her motion, where she asked the panel to re-open the investigation and to admit the attached counter-affidavit.

Guo said that the motion is not intended to delay the proceedings.

The motion for extension was executed in Makati City.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Guo from service with forfeiture of all her retirement benefits as well as perpetual disqualification from public office.

The Ombudsman noted that the alleged Deed of Assignment of Shares of Stock executed by Guo to Uy was inexistent. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News