In a landmark ruling, a Philippine trial court has sentenced former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo—also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping—to life imprisonment after she was found guilty of human trafficking. The decision marks a significant victory for Philippine authorities in their fight against organized crime and human trafficking syndicates operating in the country.

Alice Guo’s Background and Political Career

Alice Guo ran for public office in Bamban, an agricultural town north of Manila, as a Filipino citizen. However, law enforcement later identified her as Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national. Guo’s political career became the center of a nationwide controversy, especially after the Senate initiated a probe into her alleged ties with Chinese criminal syndicates in May 2024.

According to the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC), the court ruling delivers justice not only legally but morally, reaffirming the government’s strong stance against organized crime.

Human Trafficking Allegations and Court Findings

The case against Guo intensified after a police raid revealed a scam center operating on land partially owned by her. The raid uncovered hundreds of trafficked workers, including foreign nationals, prompting PAOCC to file a human trafficking complaint.

The trial court also convicted seven other individuals connected to the trafficking operations, sentencing them to life imprisonment. The facility used for these operations was forfeited to the Philippine government.

Guo has consistently denied involvement with criminal networks, claiming she is a natural-born Filipino citizen. Her lawyer has not provided comments following the sentencing.

Flight, Capture, and Arrest

After initially refusing to attend Philippine Senate hearings, Guo was held in contempt and had an arrest order issued against her. She fled the country but was eventually captured in Indonesia and deported back to the Philippines in September 2024.

In addition to her life sentence for human trafficking, Guo faces other serious criminal charges, including graft and money laundering. She was removed from office by the Philippine Ombudsman in August 2024 due to grave misconduct.

Broader Implications: Offshore Gaming and International Ties

Guo’s case has sparked wider concerns about the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), many of which are run by Chinese nationals and target clients in China. These operations, which expanded during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, have since come under increased scrutiny and were ultimately banned by President Ferdinand Marcos.

The controversy surrounding Guo also reflects broader geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Philippine-China relations and disputes in the South China Sea, highlighting growing public suspicion of Chinese activities in the region.

Government Response

The PAOCC emphasized that the ruling against Guo is a step toward safeguarding human rights and dismantling criminal networks exploiting vulnerable workers. Authorities continue to monitor offshore gaming operations and other illegal activities linked to foreign nationals to ensure the rule of law is upheld in the Philippines.