MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has allowed the transfer of the cases filed against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and several others before the Capas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 to Metro Manila, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Sunday.
He said that the Department of Justice (DoJ) will pursue non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges against Guo and several foreigners who were arrested during the raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Tarlac.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said the charges will be filed next week.
Under the law governing trafficking in persons, individuals who organize an establishment engaged in human trafficking may be held accountable for human trafficking despite not having direct participation in criminal activities such as torture, rape, forced labor, and other related acts.
Aside from Guo, other persons to be charged in court are her business partners including Huang Zhiyang.
Remulla had urged the High Court, in a letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, to transfer to Metro Manila criminal cases that are handled by the Capas RTC.
Remulla cited the pressing need to safeguard national interest and ensure fairness.
