DOJ filing qualified human trafficking case vs Guo, others
The Philippine Star|September 14, 2024
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will file charges of qualified trafficking against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo over her alleged involvement in a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in her town that was raided over illegal activities including torture, forced labor and cyberscams.
DAPHNE GALVEZ

According to DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty, state prosecutors found "prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction" against Guo and other respondents.

In particular, Guo is culpable under Section 4(1) of the Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012, which provides that those who organize an establishment that engages in human trafficking are just as liable.

"The defense of Guo's legal team and other respondents that they did not recruit or torture victims will not be given weight under our new law," Ty said in a press briefing.

He reiterated the provision from the trafficking act, saying "once it is found that you are involved in the establishment or organization of a company that is involved in human trafficking, you can be charged with human trafficking." Aside from Guo, Ty said they will also file charges against Huang Zhiyang, the so-called "boss of all bosses" of POGOs, Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying.

Also included was former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan as well as other incorporators.

Ty refused to name other respondents to keep the case "as confidential as possible" due to "flight risk" among respondents while they are not yet included in the immigration lookout bulletin.

The DOJ official said the panel of prosecutors did not give weight to the supposed counter-affidavit of Guo, which her camp had attempted to submit despite the case having already been submitted for resolution.

There are also doubts as to the authenticity of the counter-affidavit as it was sworn before a notary public in August but Guo had allegedly left the Philippines in July.

The physical presence of the affiant is needed for a document to be notarized by a lawyer commissioned by the Supreme Court (SC).

Ty, however, said that a counteraffidavit must be submitted physically by the affiant before a prosecutor.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 14, 2024-Ausgabe von The Philippine Star.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 14, 2024-Ausgabe von The Philippine Star.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE PHILIPPINE STARAlle anzeigen
The Philippine Star

Shai outguns Jokic, Thunder rip Nuggets

Shai GilgeousAlexander outdueled MVP rival Nikola Jokic with a 40-point performance as the Oklahoma City Thunder produced a late barrage to defeat the Denver Nuggets 127103 on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
升の山 山 MAKE OUR KIDS DO A SORTS OF STUFF LIKE RUN A MARATHON
The Philippine Star

升の山 山 MAKE OUR KIDS DO A SORTS OF STUFF LIKE RUN A MARATHON

It is chilly in Tokyo as I look out of our hotel room in Shinjuku, which has the view of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building where the Tokyo Marathon starting line was yesterday, March 3, 2025.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
Tootsy Angara, Small Laude & Karen Davila: The 'Botswana Gang'
The Philippine Star

Tootsy Angara, Small Laude & Karen Davila: The 'Botswana Gang'

Like a threelegged stool, the triumvirate of broadcast journalist Karen Davila, influencer Small Laude and media executive and education advocate Tootsy Angara cradles a friendship. Take away one leg, and the trio wobbles.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

Expedite probe of 2023 NFA rice sale

Ombudsman Samuel Martires should expedite the investigation into the alleged anomalous sale of National Food Authority (NFA) rice to private traders in 2023, according to farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag).

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

Rody, Sara flying back to Phl today?

Former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, are expected to arrive in the country from Hong Kong today on a Cathay Pacific flight, airport sources said.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Ex-police general heads judicial marshals' office
The Philippine Star

Ex-police general heads judicial marshals' office

Retired police Brig. Gen. Manuel Gaerlan marks a milestone by becoming the first chief marshal of the Supreme Court's Office of the Judicial Marshal (SC-OJM).

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
VILLAR celebrates WOMEN'S month with the largest ZUMBA contigent
The Philippine Star

VILLAR celebrates WOMEN'S month with the largest ZUMBA contigent

Women's Month celebration in Las Piñas City was launched with a record-breaking inter-barangay Zumba dance competition on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

Thrift banks seek lower liquidity ratio

Mid-sized banks are hopeful that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will consider lowering the minimum liquidity ratio (MLR) for medium-sized banks, following the decision to remove their reserve requirement ratio (RRR), according to the Chamber of Thrift Banks.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
The Philippine Star

More Women Get Involved in Philippine Nuclear Development

After years of being restrained by the patriarchal world, women have emerged from the shadows to claim their rightful place not only in society but also in science and technology.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
Ensuring compliance: Preservation and examination of books of accounts
The Philippine Star

Ensuring compliance: Preservation and examination of books of accounts

Businesses are required to maintain and preserve books of accounts for a certain period in compliance with tax laws and regulations.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025