MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of 62 money laundering charges against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping) and 31 others, in connection with a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban.
In a statement on Wednesday (15 Jan 2025), DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano explained that prosecutors recommended 26 counts of money laundering under Section 4(a) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) for handling illegal proceeds, and five counts under Section 4(b) for the transfer or movement of those funds.
The panel also recommended 31 counts of the same violation against Guo and her co-accused.
However, the DOJ dismissed a separate charge against Guo for concealing the source of the funds and dropped charges against lawyer Jason Masuerte, Nancy Gamo, and Cassie Li Ong for aiding in the money laundering offenses, citing insufficient evidence.
The case stems from illegal activities at the POGO hub, which law enforcement connected to scams such as love scams, investment fraud, and crypto schemes. These illicit profits were used to purchase various assets.
Guo and her co-accused are also facing charges of qualified human trafficking related to a June raid at the POGO hub, where 800 workers were rescued.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has also linked the operation to drug syndicates and corporate fraud.
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