Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the approval for filing 62 counts of money laundering charges against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, along with 31 others. These charges relate to their involvement in activities connected to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano revealed that the panel of prosecutors recommended filing 26 counts of money laundering under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) concerning the transaction of monetary instruments that are illegal proceeds of unlawful activities. Additionally, Guo faces five counts of money laundering under Section 4(b) related to the conversion, transfer, or movement of illegal monetary instruments.

The panel also suggested filing 31 counts of violations of Section 4(b) of the AMLA against Guo and her co-accused. However, a separate complaint against Guo for concealing or disguising the true nature of the source of funds has been recommended for dismissal by the DOJ.

The DOJ dismissed charges of aiding and abetting money laundering offenses against lawyer Jason Masuerte, Nancy Gamo, and Cassie Li Ong due to a lack of prima facie evidence and reasonable certainty of conviction. Clavano noted that investigations revealed some accused were involved in scamming activities, such as love scams, investment scams, and crypto scams, which were identified by law enforcement agencies as sources of their illicit profits used to purchase various assets.

In addition to the money laundering charges, Guo and her co-accused are facing qualified human trafficking charges following a June raid on a POGO hub in Bamban, where 800 Filipino and foreign workers were rescued. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has also alleged links between POGOs and criminal networks, including drug syndicates and corporate fraud.