Guo negative for TB, stays in regular cell

Dismissed mayor is 44th occupant of Pasig jail cell built for 9

- JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

Negative for tuberculosis, dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo is now detained in a cell at the Pasig City Jail female dormitory with 43 other inmates, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said yesterday.

“At 3:43 p.m., we received the negative test result for MTB (mycobacterium tuberculosis). PDL (person deprived of liberty) Alice Guo was transferred immediately to her assigned cell,” BJMP spokesman Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said.

“She will be sharing the cell with 43 other PDLs,” Bustinera added.

The cell, built to accommodate only nine detainees, has an industrial fan and comfort room. The female dormitory currently houses 135 detainees, way above the ideal capacity of 36.

Guo, along with several others, is facing the non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking in violation of Republic Act 9208, as amended by RA 10364 and 11862.

She was transferred yesterday morning by the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-NCRCIDG) to the facility.

Guo underwent a medical examination for TB earlier yesterday, according to the BJMP. The former mayor also tested negative for COVID-19 and other medical risks.

Bustinera said they are also waiting for an update on the transfer Guo’s co-accused, who are coming from Tarlac Jail.

Guo can accept visitors from Tuesday to Friday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the whole Saturday and Sunday, which is BJMP’s regular hour for visitors of prisoners. Monday is a non-visiting day.

“Anytime, the doctors can visit the PDL if she has personal doctor, lawyer and spiritual adviser. Those are allowed as our rights,” Bustinera said.

He added that detainees are allowed to read books in the small library of the Pasig jail facility.