MANILA — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Wednesday confirmed it has received the commitment order to transfer dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo from the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.

“We will transfer her within the week,” BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera told the Philippine News Agency but declined to provide further details for security reasons.

Guo was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Pasig Regional Trial Court for qualified trafficking. Upon arrival at the CIW, Guo and her co-accused, Jaimielyn Santos Cruz and Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, will undergo a five-day quarantine at the CIW Reception Diagnostic Center (RDC) for medical examinations. They will then move to the regular RDC dormitory for a 60-day orientation, diagnostics, and qualification process before being transferred to the Maximum Security Camp dormitory.

PNP steps up hunt for Cassandra Ong

Efforts to locate and arrest Cassandra Li Ong and all co-accused in the qualified human trafficking case continue, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday. Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. has tasked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to intensify operations against Ong and the other respondents linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) case.

“We do not only focus on Ms. Ong. We will also make sure that all the respondents, whether they are in the Philippines or abroad, will be located and taken to the court that issued the arrest warrant,” Nartatez said.

Over 50 people were charged in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99, including lawyer Harry Roque. In May, the Angeles, Pampanga Regional Trial Court Branch 118 issued arrest warrants for Ong and other suspects. The Court of Appeals recently dismissed Ong’s petition challenging the DOJ’s resolution indicting her.

Malacañang confirmed that Ong remains in the Philippines based on government records, despite reports she was last seen in Japan. Nartatez reaffirmed the PNP’s commitment to comply with court orders and ensure all accused face justice.

(PNA)