21-9-2024 (MANILA) In a startling development that has captivated the Philippines, Senator Risa Hontiveros has announced that she cannot dismiss the possibility of espionage in the case of Alice Guo, a former mayor under investigation for alleged links to Chinese criminal syndicates.
Guo, who campaigned for the mayorship of Bamban under a Filipino identity but is also known by her Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, faces a raft of criminal charges including graft. The accusations stem from claims that she misused her authority to facilitate the growth of offshore gambling operations within her jurisdiction.
Speaking to foreign correspondents on 20 September, Senator Hontiveros, who chairs the senate committee spearheading the investigation, stated, “I’m not yet prepared to conclude that she is not involved, or that the people associated with her are not involved in espionage.” This statement marks a significant escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the case.
The probe into Guo’s activities began in May following a raid on a casino in Bamban, located in Tarlac province. Law enforcement officials claim to have uncovered evidence of scams being operated from a facility situated on land partly owned by Guo.
Throughout the investigation, Hontiveros has pressed Guo on whether she serves as an “asset” for China. Guo, maintaining her status as a natural-born Philippine citizen, has vehemently denied all accusations, including that of being a spy, dismissing them as malicious.
The case has gripped public attention at a time of heightened tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly in light of escalating disputes over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Guo’s legal troubles have continued to mount. She was removed from her position as mayor of Bamban in August by the Ombudsman for grave misconduct. Additionally, she faces a separate money laundering complaint filed with the Department of Justice.
The implications of the case extend beyond national borders. Senator Hontiveros highlighted the broader context, stating, “In the case of the rise of Pogos [Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators] and of people like Guo Hua Ping, we have seen numerous and deep links to transnational crime syndicates that have victimised not only our own citizens here in the Philippines, but also citizens from across the world.”
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has called on Guo to disclose information about online gambling operations targeting Chinese customers, where gambling is illegal. This comes after China had previously urged Manila to ban online gaming as part of its own crackdown on cross-border gambling.
