https://qa.philstar.com/headlines/2025/05/24/2445406/doj-files-62-counts-money-laundering-vs-guo

The Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday filed charges for 62 counts of money laundering against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo before the Capas Regional Trial Court in connection with the alleged illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in her municipality.

In an advisory sent to the media, accompanied by photos and videos of the actual filing, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) executive director Gilbert Cruz confirmed that the DOJ National Prosecution Service has lodged against Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, 62 cases of violation of Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 as amended by RA 10365.

Cruz said the charge sheets were accompanied by more than 60 boxes of documentary exhibits unloaded from two vans.

The charges specifically include 26 counts of transacting with illicit monetary instruments or property under Section 4 (a) of RA 9160; five counts of facilitating money laundering or converting, transferring or using assets from unlawful activity under Sec. 4 (b) of RA 9160 and 31 counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering under Sec. 4 (d) of RA 9160.

Named as Guo’s co-accused in the 31 counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering were 30 other individuals including Jian Zhong Guo, also known as Angelito Guo aka Angelito dela Cruz Guo; Lin Wenyi aka Wen Yi Lin aka Amelia Leal; Shiela Leal Guo aka Mier Zhang; Seimen Leal Guo; Zhiyang Huang aka Boss Wang and Rachelle Joan Carreon.

Last January, a panel of prosecutors from the DOJ-NPS recommended the filing of 62 counts of money laundering against Guo, who the panel identified as the “brainchild and/or architect” of the alleged illegal activities inside the Baofu Land Development property located in Bamban.

Guo is the president of Baofu Land Development, which has been the subject of three search warrants reportedly because of online gambling, internet fraud and other cybercrime operations conducted by Hongsheng.

“Upon judicious evaluation and consideration of all the documentary evidence and totality of circumstances presented vis-à-vis the respondents’ arguments and defenses, the undersigned investigating panel is convinced that there exists prima facie cases for money laundering with reasonable certainty of conviction of respondents found to be involved in its complex web of commission,” the DOJ-NPS said in its 49-page resolution.

Guo was earlier dismissed as Bamban mayor by the Office of the Ombudsman also in connection with the alleged illegal POGO operations and other illegal online activities at the Baofu property.

Guo’s dismissal stemmed from a complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, following her issuance of business permit to POGO firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. which had its business operations inside the eight-hectare property owned by Baufo Land Development Inc.

The DILG said its investigation as well as the raid conducted by PAOCC revealed that Zun Yuan was involved in various illegal activities. Despite this, the DILG said Guo did not cancel or revoke the POGO hub’s business permit as she has business interests with Baofu.

Zun Yuan’s Baofu compound was raided on March 13, 2024 for alleged human trafficking, serious illegal detention and investment fraud.

The same compound was also raided in February 2023 when the POGO firm was still named Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. over a supposed fraudulent cryptocurrency investment operation. It was renamed Zun Yuan after the raid.

The DILG said its task force’s investigation showed that Guo’s supposed divestment of her shares in Baofu through a deed of assignment was “simulated” as the P2.5 million involved appears to be not commensurate to her investment in the company.

In dismissing Guo from her post, the ombudsman said its investigation revealed that Guo remains to be in control of Baofu even after she assumed her mayoral post in 2022.

Meanwhile, in its report, the DOJ-NPS said that while there was no direct and specific financial document showing proceeds from unlawful activities being conducted inside Baofu, “it is very apparent that proceeds from unlawful activity were diverted and channeled through Guo’s other businesses such as QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics.”

“In this case, Alice, through QJJ Farm and QSeed Genetics as transit accounts, paid for the electric bills and other operating expenses of Baofu, Hongsheng and Zun Yuan,” the resolution read.

“Doubtless, these cases and check payments relating to the utility and other operating expenses of Baofu, Hongsheng and Zun Yuan represented or constituted the proceeds generated from the unlawful activities by Hongsheng and later, by Zun Yuan,” it added.

In a press statement, the PAOCC lauded the DOJ for the swift filing of the case.

“This landmark case illustrates the government’s resolve to dismantle the financial machinery enabling transnational criminal enterprises. The sheer scale and coordination seen here show how vital it is for our law enforcement and justice system to respond with equal force, precision and unity,” Cruz said.

Yesterday’s filing marked the eighth case lodged by the government against Guo, who is already facing charges related to qualified trafficking in persons, civil forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth, graft, material misrepresentation and falsification of public documents.

Guo is set to testify on May 28 in the qualified trafficking case pending before Pasig RTC Branch 167.

Four additional complaints against Guo are currently under preliminary investigation by the DOJ, covering alleged falsification by a notary public, perjury and obstruction of justice; two counts of violation of the Anti-Dummy Law in connection with properties in Pangasinan and qualified trafficking and graft concerning personnel of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.