Alice Guo pleads not guilty to qualified trafficking charge

Metro Manila, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo pleaded not guilty to one count of qualified human trafficking before a Pasig court, her counsel confirmed Friday, Sept. 27.

Guo's lawyer Nicole Jamilla told NewsWatch Plus that the former mayor was arraigned through video conference.

Guo is detained in the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory for her non-bailable case. 

The case of Guo, who is also known as the Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, has been linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

She maintained during a Senate committee hearing that she's not the mastermind but only a victim.

The former mayor promised senators to name the "most guilty" in illegal POGO operations in a closed-door meeting, but the lawmakers were not fully satisfied with her statements.