Alice Guo, the ousted mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, intends to appeal her conviction for qualified human trafficking, a serious offense in the Philippines.
Guo, along with seven co-defendants, was sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of PHP2 million ($34,042) for her involvement in human trafficking operations linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hub.
According to ABS-CBN, her legal counsel, Nicole Jamilla, expressed their commitment to protecting Guo’s rights as they prepare the appeal. While Guo indicated she is sad about the conviction, Jamilla affirmed that she is determined to fight the ruling.
Additionally, Guo’s camp has filed a motion to allow her to remain in the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory rather than be transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women, citing safety concerns. The court has temporarily allowed her to stay at the Pasig facility until it decides on the motion.
Guo, 35, was arrested in Indonesia in September 2024 after fleeing the Philippines. In June 2025, a Manila court ruled that Guo, a Chinese citizen, was ineligible to serve as mayor, rendering her term void.
