Guo conviction major win vs. trafficking, POGO crimes – senators

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Senator Risa Hontiveros and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate of the Philippines/facebook)

MANILA – Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday welcomed the conviction of Alice Guo, saying the ruling is a landmark victory in the country’s fight against human trafficking, cybercrime, and criminal syndicates operating under Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

In a statement, Hontiveros said the guilty verdict against Guo — also known as Guo Hua Ping — affirms years of investigative work that exposed corruption, transnational crime links, and sophisticated operations tied to POGOs.

“Today, justice has been served. The conviction of Alice Guo is a victory against corruption, human trafficking, cybercrime, and many other transnational crimes. Ngayon, hindi na sila makakaulit (Now, they can no longer repeat their abuses),” she said.

The senator noted that the Senate inquiry under her committee delivered “unprecedented results,” contributing to a presidential executive order banning POGOs, helping support evidence that led to Guo’s life imprisonment, and bolstering the passage of the Anti-POGO Law of 2025.

“I am proud to consider it one of the most consequential Senate inquiries of my life’s work so far,” she added. “The Philippines is not a playground for exploitation, infiltration, and espionage. Accountability is coming. Justice always finds a way.”

Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the verdict strengthens national efforts to dismantle illegal POGO hubs and related trafficking networks.

“The conviction of Alice Guo and her cohorts for qualified trafficking is a big win for the Filipino people, including foreign nationals who have been victimized by various criminal activities perpetrated by POGOs. The rule of law has prevailed, and justice has been served,” he said in a separate statement.

Gatchalian added that the ruling should serve as a warning to all who attempt to exploit government systems.

“Umaasa tayo na ang tagumpay na ito ay lalo pang magpapatibay sa ating batas laban sa POGO at magpapalakas sa kampanya ng ating law enforcement agencies para tuluyang papanagutin ang mga natitirang POGO at iba pang uri ng online scam sa bansa (We hope this victory further reinforces our laws against POGOs and strengthens law enforcement efforts to hold remaining POGOs and online scam operators accountable),” he said.