Alice Guo pleads not guilty to qualified human trafficking charge

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo  (HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping)  pleaded not guilty to the qualified human trafficking charge during her arraignment at Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 167 on Friday, according to her legal counsel Nicole Jamilla.

“We pleaded not guilty; ma’am pleaded not guilty to the crime alleged,” Jamilla said in an ambush interview at the Pasig City RTC.

Guo is currently detained in Pasig City Jail  Female Dormitory.

Guo wanted to remain at the Philippine National Police custodial facility due to security concerns, but Jamilla said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) told the court that they could handle the former local chief executive’s security.

“To be candid, from what I know she will no longer have a consideration because I think the BJMP made a comment that they have  equipment to handle the security as well as they have the facilities to do that,” she said.

“We are looking into options because of course, her prime considerations are her safety and security,” she said.

Meanwhile, Guo has a medical appointment for her lung infection, according to Jamilla.

Guo left the country on July 18 despite an ongoing probe into her alleged role in the operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations.

Indonesian authorities arrested her in Jakarta on September 4.