Merlie Joy Castro, one of the co-accused in the qualified human trafficking case against dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, has voluntarily surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) via the Senate.
Castro, who also claims to be a victim of identity theft, first appeared in the Senate investigation into illegal POGO operations in June.
In her surrender on Tuesday, Castro expressed concern about her children’s future, stating that she was forced to face the charges despite having no involvement.
Castro denied being a co-incorporator of Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., the POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac, which was raided by authorities.
She insisted that she never signed any documents related to Hongsheng and had never visited the POGO hub, prompting her to come forward to clear her name and prove she was a victim.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who leads the Senate investigation, thanked Castro for her voluntary surrender.