The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Sept. 20, urged the co-accused of dismissed Mayor Alice L. Guo of Bamban, Tarlac to surrender and face the qualified trafficking in persons case filed against them.
“To the remaining co-accused still playing hide-and-seek with authorities, immediately surrender without hesitation or asking any condition,” said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said in a statement.
Remulla warned that if they do not surrender to the authorities, “the law will definitely catch-up with you.”
He issued the call after Judge Annielyn B. Medes-Cabelis of the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 issued on Sept. 19 arrest warrants against the 14 co-accused of Guo.
Ordered arrested were Huang Zhiyang, Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Zhang Ruijin, Baoying Lin, Yu Zheng Can, Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Roderick Paulo Bernardo Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpas, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro, Rita Sapnu Yturralde, Rowena Gonzales Evangelista, Thelma Barrogo Laranan, and Maybelline Requiro Millo.
“The arrest warrants issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 merely confirmed the findings of our prosecutors of the alleged involvement of Guo and others in the qualified trafficking case,” Remulla said.
“The law must take its course, it’s time for Guo and co-accused to face the charges against them in court,” he added.
Guo and her co-accused are facing non-bailable charges of qualified trafficking in persons in violation of Republic Act (RA) 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.
The case involved the alleged qualified trafficking in persons activities committed by Zun Yuan Technology Center, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that was raided in Bamban town.