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Alice Guo’s co-defendant in human trafficking case turns himself in

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Monday that it has in its custody seven of the co-defendants in connection with the dismissal of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, in the human trafficking case filed in a Pasig City court.

In a press conference, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said five of Guo's alleged co-conspirators surrendered to the NBI Central Luzon office, including the president of Zun Yuan Technology Center, the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), while the other two, the treasurer and secretary of the POGO hub, surrendered to Task Force Bamban.

They are Zun Yuan President Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Zun Yuan Treasurer Juan Miguel Alpas, Zun Yuan Secretary Roderick Paul Bernardo Puajante, Hongshen President and CEO Thelma Barrogo Requiro, Hengshen Treasurer Rita Sapnu Uyturralde, Rowena Evangelista and Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon.

They said they decided to show up to clear their names.

Some of those who surrendered claimed they did not know Guo personally. They said they were asked to sign a certificate of incorporation by Jeremy Santos, the husband of Patty Santos, who was Guo's chief of staff when she was mayor of Bamban.

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The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

The seven co-accused in the firing of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, September 23, 2024, in connection with the qualified human trafficking complaint they are trying in a Pasig City court. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

On the other hand, Santos Cruz, president of Zun Yuan, admitted that she knew Guo because she had been working in the local media for 21 years and previously worked as a television presenter.

“I have covered many events and festivals, and last year at the Bamban Festival I met Mayor Guo,” she said.

She added that it was not Guo who asked her to invest in an online gaming company.

“It wasn't Mayor Guo, it was another person who offered me an investment. She's not even part of my company.”

“There is no human trafficking in our business,” she added. “We are portrayed to the public as bad people, but we are not criminals. My business is legitimate.”

Santiago said the NBI will submit the arrest warrant to the court on Monday and await the order of detention to determine where the accused will be detained.

Guo was transferred to the Pasig City Jail on Monday.

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