Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo was transferred to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory in Metro Manila on Monday.
According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, Guo was officially turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at 9:33 a.m., in line with the commitment order issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) where she is facing non-bailable charges of qualified human trafficking.
“Before her transfer to the BJMP, Guo underwent the required medical and physical examinations by the PNP General Hospital and Forensic Group,” Fajardo explained. “During the exam, the doctor detected a possible infection in her left lung. The BJMP will now manage her treatment for this condition.”
Fajardo added that Guo had been experiencing cough and cold symptoms before her transfer, and the lung infection may have developed over the weekend.
Initially scheduled for transfer on September 20, Guo’s move was delayed until Monday to allow the PNP to complete the return of the arrest warrant for her human trafficking case. Fajardo noted that the PNP is in close coordination with the Department of Justice regarding a motion filed by Guo’s lawyer to keep her at the PNP Custodial Center.
“We anticipate that the prosecutor will officially oppose the urgent motion to detain Guo at the PNP Custodial Center. However, since we have already transferred her to the BJMP, we will wait for the court’s ruling on the matter,” Fajardo said.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Joseph Bustinera stated that Guo will remain in isolation for several days due to her potential lung infection. She will be placed in a 10-square-meter isolation area with three other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are being treated for tuberculosis (TB).
“The medical findings were confirmed, and we recommended isolation through our Health Service,” Bustinera said. The result of Guo’s TB test is expected to be released by Monday.
Guo arrived at the Pasig City Jail carrying a yellow shirt, jogging pants, and a personal hygiene kit. If cleared of the lung infection, she will be transferred to the general jail facilities.
Bustinera also assured that special security arrangements have been made for Guo’s safety. “We have added personnel and tightened security due to her high-profile case. The BJMP guarantees her safety and security,” he said. The Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory currently houses 135 detainees, far exceeding its capacity of 36 PDLs.
In a related development, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced the arrest of seven alleged co-conspirators of Guo over the weekend. The individuals—Roderic Puajante, Juan Alpas, Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Jamielyn Cruz, Rita Uyturralde, Rowena Evangelista, and Thelma Requiro—were apprehended in connection with the same qualified human trafficking charges filed against Guo.
The arrests, carried out on September 22, were led by various divisions of the NBI, including the Organized and Transnational Crime Division (NBI-OTCS), Intellectual Property Right Division (NBI-IPRD), Counter Terrorism Division (NBI-CTD), and regional offices in Tarlac and Central Luzon.
