Guo: Ties with companies not enough ground for human trafficking

Alice Guo —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo maintains that mere connections to companies or individuals do not suffice as grounds to be labeled as a conspirator.

“Having connections to companies or individuals, especially when vague, is not enough to link someone to a case, particularly one involving human trafficking,” Guo said in a statement issued Friday.

She cautioned authorities to make a thorough investigation first before making any public statement.

“The principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ should prevail, and it is crucial to respect human rights and justice in all aspects of any case,” she added.

Guo issued the statement after the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) filed a case for qualified human trafficking against her and several others at the Department of Justice (DOJ)

READ: Mayor Alice Guo, others face human trafficking complaint

“Since the day of the raid on March 13 until now, there has been a concerted effort to unjustly link me to the case,” she said. “If concrete evidence existed, charges would have been filed against me much earlier.”

Guo said she is prepared to face the allegation against her.