SC transfers Pogo trafficking cases to Metro Manila courts

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has approved the transfer of human trafficking cases involving Pogo (Philippine offshore gaming operators) activities in Bamban, Tarlac, to courts in the National Capital Region, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Sunday.

The DOJ also said earlier it would pursue nonbailable qualified human trafficking charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and several others for violation of Republic Act No. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, as amended.

According to the agency, the high court gave the go-ahead on the transfer of criminal cases filed against Ma The Pong, Wang Weili, Lang Xu and other Chinese Pogo workers from Branch 66 of the Capas Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Tarlac province to the Pasig City RTC.

READ: Tolentino lauds transfer of Alice Guo’s graft case to Valenzuela City

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had earlier written Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on April 22, some two months after the raid on the Bamban Pogo, citing the “pressing need” to protect the national interest given that the high-profile cases “exceed local boundaries, which affect national security and general policies.”

He also noted the importance of maintaining the integrity of trial proceedings in a neutral venue and of securing the court’s approval to avoid potential local biases or undue influences.

The DOJ said the high tribunal found its request meritorious.

“I commend the SC for their unwavering commitment to safeguard the laws of the land in order to avoid the miscarriage of justice, [and] the DOJ vows that we will prosecute these cases with burning resolve and integrity,” Remulla said in a statement.

Court circular

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty on Sept. 13 said qualified human trafficking charges would be filed this week against Guo before the appropriate RTC.

Apart from RA 9208, he cited Section 4(l) of RA 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022, which covers those who “organize, provide financial support, or direct other persons to commit the offenses defined as acts of trafficking.”

“So, the defense of Guo and the other respondents, claiming that they did not recruit, inflict harm, or torture the trafficking victims, will not work under the new law,” Ty said.

Guo also faces a graft complaint initially lodged before the Capas RTC before it was transferred to the Valenzuela RTC, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said last week.

Other cases

Guo also has a quo warranto case before the Manila RTC and a birth certificate cancellation petition before the Tarlac RTC, both filed by the Office of the Solicitor General.

She also has a misrepresentation case before the Commission on Elections, a tax evasion complaint still pending resolution before the DOJ, and a deportation case at the Bureau of Immigration.