Thu Nov 20 09:20:00 UTC 2025: Ex-Philippines Mayor Guo Gets Life Sentence for Human Trafficking in Scam Centre Case

Manila, Philippines – Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Philippines, has been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking, marking a dramatic turn in a case that has gripped the nation and raised concerns about Chinese influence. Guo and three others were convicted on Thursday for their role in running a sprawling scam center in her town, which was uncovered in 2024.

The scam center, disguised under online casinos (Pogos), employed around 800 Filipinos and foreigners who were allegedly forced to run “pig butchering” scams targeting individuals online. Authorities raided the center and rescued the workers, uncovering a network operating on land previously owned by Guo.

The case took numerous twists, including investigations that revealed discrepancies in Guo’s background and claims that she may have migrated from China. Further investigations found that her fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping. These allegations led to her removal from office and a period on the run, culminating in her arrest in Indonesia and extradition back to the Philippines.

Guo has denied all allegations.

The case has unfolded amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with some Filipino lawmakers expressing concerns about potential Chinese espionage. While the case has garnered significant attention in the Philippines, China has remained notably silent on the allegations against Guo.

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