PAOCC Rejects Proposal to Make Mayor Guo State Witness in Human Trafficking Case

QUEZON CITY – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has dismissed the idea of turning Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo into a state witness in a human trafficking case. The decision is based on the assessment that Guo does not meet the criteria of being less guilty than other suspects involved.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Guo is considered a major player in the case, possibly occupying the highest position in the hierarchy of suspects under investigation. This evaluation stems from ongoing investigations linking her to illegal activities connected to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Last month, PAOCC, together with the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, filed charges against Guo and several others following a raid on a POGO hub in Bamban, where workers were allegedly found to be trafficked.

Casio highlighted the specific conditions for becoming a state witness, emphasizing that the candidate must be the least guilty among those implicated, a criterion Guo currently does not fulfill. He mentioned that if future evidence changes the perspective of her involvement, the possibility of her becoming a state witness could be reconsidered.

Furthermore, Casio clarified that any decision on turning Guo into a state witness would ultimately be made by prosecutors, not the PAOCC. He also confirmed that Guo remains in the Philippines and mentioned ongoing investigations into potential leaks of sensitive information regarding planned raids on POGO operations. Casio stressed the importance of scrutinizing everyone involved in the case, including PAOCC members, to ensure the integrity of the operations.