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Abalos, PAOCC hail conviction of Alice Guo

Philippines | National

Abalos, PAOCC hail conviction of Alice Guo

By Aaron Recuenco

Former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr., welcomed the conviction of Bamban, Tarlac ex-mayor Alice Guo for the case of qualified human trafficking.

“Today’s ruling shows that the DILG and Philippine National Police fulfilled its mandate, acted without bias, and ensured that the justice process ran its full course up to the conviction that we’re seeing and celebrating today,” said Abalos.

It was Abalos and then national police chief Rommel Francisco Marbil who went to Indonesia to arrange the return of Guo to the Philippines last year.

Abalos and Marbil coordinated and negotiated with senior Indonesian authorities, ultimately leading to Guo’s arrest and her return to the Philippines.

During that time, Guo was wanted for criminal charges relating to the illegal operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Tarlac, and over espionage allegations.

On Thursday, a Pasig Regional Trial Court found Guo guilty in relation to the existence of the POGO complex in Bamban.

Abalos said the judgment shows that the months of work by law-enforcement agencies tracking down Guo to face her crimes “did not go to waste.”

The operation later drew criticism after a photo of Abalos, Marbil, and Guo due to the latter’s pose.

Abalos later explained that Guo had requested to speak with authorities about alleged death threats and the photograph was taken for standard documentation.

For his part, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) executive director Benjamin Acorda said the conviction of Go is a victory for the country and will serve as a strong warning against those who run the same modus.

“It (court decision ) will be a deterrent and for us in the agencies involved in running after them, we will be more determined and will be more convinced that we are doing the right thing,” said Acorda.

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