Former Mayor Alice Guo Found Guilty of Human Trafficking

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Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo has been found guilty of qualified trafficking in persons along with her seven co-accused by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167. The verdict, handed down on November 20, results in life imprisonment for Guo. The court has also mandated the permanent revocation of the business registrations for Baofu Land and Development Inc., Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., and Zun Yuan Technology Inc.

The charges stem from illegal activities related to Philippine offshore gaming operators in Bamban, Tarlac. In March 2024, the compound, a base for these operations, was raided after a Vietnamese worker escaped and alerted authorities. The raiders discovered over 700 individuals from various nations subjected to forced scams under threat of torture. Documents located during the investigation indicated Guo was president of one of the owning companies.

The case highlights the challenges in combating transnational scams, which have surged across Southeast Asia. The UN reported victims lost up to $37 billion in 2023. This growth occurred partly due to policies during the Duterte administration, which facilitated gaming operations by issuing nationwide licenses. However, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since banned offshore gambling operations, aiming to expel foreign workers involved in these activities.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas confirmed that despite Guo's guilty verdict, eight co-accused were acquitted, though their identities remain undisclosed. Guo and others involved were not present at the court for the decision but participated online. The Chinese embassy has not yet commented on the development.

Moving forward, the cessation of offshore gambling might mitigate the proliferation of such scams. The forfeiture of the Baofu compound to the government marks a significant enforcement action. The case could influence stronger international regulatory measures to tackle the growing issue of cybercrime and human trafficking linked to these operations, reported PhilStar.

Key Takeaways

• Alice Guo and co-accused sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking.
• Over 700 individuals were found at the site, forced to engage in scams.
• Philippine government bans offshore gambling, targeting foreign workers.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from PhilStar 2025-11-20