Ranking congressmen welcomed on Thursday, Nov. 20 the conviction of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in her qualified human trafficking case.

Hailing the development were Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., Committee on Human Rights chairman; and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, a deputy minority leader.

Abante says Guo's conviction for qualified trafficking “strengthens the case for fully enforcing the newly enacted POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) ban". He added that it was a "long-overdue step toward justice for victims of POGO-related abuses".

Guo--an alleged Chinese spy who penetrated the Philippine political system--was a key resource person during the House quad-comm committee during the previous 19th Congress. At that time, Abante was a co-chairman of the mega-panel.

The Pasig regional trial court (RTC) Branch 167 found Guo and seven of her co-accused guilty and ordered the forfeiture of the entire Baofu compound in favor of the government. The court sentenced Guo and three others to reclusion perpetua and imposed a P2 million fine

Abante said the ruling affirms what he has warned about for years—that POGOs have become breeding grounds for evils such as human trafficking, torture, and organized crime.

“This conviction sends a clear message: those who profit from the exploitation of human beings will be held accountable,” he said.

“For too long, these illegal POGO hubs operated like shadow syndicates—trafficking workers, violating human rights, and making a mockery of our laws. Today, justice finally caught up with one of the most visible symbols of this despicable crime," added Abante, now the overall chairman of the quad-comm in the 20th Congress.

Abante noted that the court’s decision also strengthens the case for the newly enacted law banning POGOs in the Philippines—a measure he co-authored in Congress.

“I am glad that we finally passed the law prohibiting POGOs, and proud to be one of its authors. Now comes the more difficult challenge: making sure no one dares violate it,” said the longtime anti-gambling advocate.

“The conviction of Alice Guo is not the end of this story. It should be the start of real consequences," he further said.

For her part, De Lima said the conviction of Alice Guo and the passage of Anti-POGO Act should "bolster the government’s resolve to continue tightening and widening its crackdown on criminal syndicates and illegal enterprises which serve as hotbed of crimes, including human trafficking".

"Natutuwa tayo na nahatulan na itong si Alice Guo na magbibigay hustisya sa kanyang mga naging biktima. But we should not let our guard down. Malamang sa malamang, marami pang tulad nya at mga galamay ng sindikato na dapat ding tugisin at panagutin," said the former senator and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary.

(We are glad that Alice Guo has now been convicted, which will bring justice to her victims. But we should not let our guard down. Most likely, there are still many like her and syndicate accomplices who must also be pursued and held accountable.)

In this regard, De Lima says she is seeking the urgent passage of her proposed Anti-Espionage Act.

"As we know, espionage today is not limited to shadowy operatives meeting in alleys. It comes disguised as business investments, online gaming hubs, recruitment agencies, students, telecom partnerships, and even public officials," she said.