Prosecution presents evidence, witness in Alice Guo's bail hearing

Government prosecutors presented pieces of evidence and a witness at the hearing of the qualified human trafficking case against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

This, even as her camp denied that she knew Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) godfather Lyu Dong, according to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion.

An official of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission was the first witness presented by the prosecution at the start of the hearing for the bail petition of Guo and other accused.

They are facing qualified human trafficking charges at the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 concerning the illegal POGO operations in Bamban town.

“To give an overview of how the act of qualified trafficking was committed inside the compound of Bao Fu,” prosecutor Olivia Laroza-Torrevillas said of the appearance of the witness.

The pieces of evidence will be used to block the bail petition of Guo and the other accused in the qualified human trafficking case.

“Sa bail kasi hindi kami required. We may not present our own evidence. Burden talaga yan ng prosecution,” Guo’s lawyer Nicole Jamilla said.

(We are not required to present our evidence in bail. It is the prosecution’s burden.)

Guo and the other accused attended the hearing through a video conference. It will resume on October 22.

After the hearing, Guo’s legal team had the chance to defend her on the issue of associating her with Lyu Dong.

“Hindi hindi nya kilala yun. Hindi tama, hindi parehas yun dapat kung meron kang allegations i prove mo muna bago mo ilabas sa tao kasi masyadong affected yung mga taong napagbibintangan,” Guo’s lawyer Stephen David said.

(She does not know him. It is not right. You should prove your allegations first before revealing them to the public since the accused will be affected.)—Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News