'Victim' of identity theft named as Alice Guo's co-accused yields to NBI

Merlie Joy Castro, one of ex-mayor Alice Guo's co-accused in the qualified human trafficking case who also claimed to be a victim of identity theft, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation through the Senate on Tuesday.

Castro, who first appeared before the Senate investigation into illegal POGOs in June, expressed worry over the future of her children as she was forced to face the case that was filed against her.

Castro then denied that she was a co-incorporator of Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., the POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

"Ako po si Merlie Joy Castro. Biktima ng identity theft, inaakusahan ng qualified human trafficking sa opensang hindi ko naman po ginawa. Si Ms. Alice Guo ang nasabing nagpasok ng pangalan ko na ang ginamit niya ay si Ms. Gamo," Castro said.

(I am Merlie Joy Castro, identity theft victim, accused of qualified human trafficking, which I did not commit.  It was Ms. Alice Guo who was said to have used my name under a certain Ms. Gamo.)

"Ang aking pagpapakilanlan ay walang pahintulot na ginamit sa hindi magandang paraan. Ngayon, ito po ay nakapagpasira ng buhay ko. Batid ko hindi lang buhay ko, pati po ang buhay ng anak ko na kailangan ko po iwan ngayon sa bahay na walang [seguridad] na hindi alam kung anong nangyayari sa nanay nila," she added.

(My identity was used without my permission for undesirable purposes.  Now, it has ruined my life.  I have to leave my child without security, and my child doesn't know what's happening to me.)

She reiterated that she never signed any document related to Hongsheng and never went to the POGO hub in Bamban.

"Kahit kailan hindi ko po kayo pinahintulutan gamitin ang pangalan ko ng kahit saan dahil wala po akong pinipirmahan, wala akong nakitang papel na ganon para mapunta doon ang pirma ko," she said.

(I never allowed her to use my name, I did not sign anything.  I did not see any document showing my signature.)

Castro, who worked as a call center agent to make ends meet, said she was forced to resign to face the case.

"Kaya ako nandito humaharap sa inyong harapan para patunayan at harapin sa inyo na ako po ay isang biktima at hindi po ako kasali bilang incorporator ng nasabing Hongsheng dahil hindi ko po kilala at kailanman hindi ko narating yung lugar na yan," she added.

(I'm facing this body to prove I am a victim here, I am not an incorporator of the so-called Hongsheng.  I don't know the people there and I have yet to see that place.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who leads the Senate investigation, thanked Castro for surrendering.

"Salamat sa iyo, Merlie. It is my understanding that the NBI will take Ms. Merly now and take her into their custody," Hontiveros said.

"Merlie, sasabihin ko sa inyo ngayong gabi... mase-serve din po ang hustisya, minsan matagal, minsan maganit, pero mase-serve din po yun," the senator said.  (I am telling you justice will be served even if it takes time.)

National Bureau of Investigation Angelito Magno acknowledged Castro's surrender.

"Just to put on record that Ms. Santos has [voluntarily] surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation through the Senate," Magno.—LDF, GMA Integrated News