Alice Guo Tagged as a “Chinese spy” in Al Jazeera Documentary

In a heated House quad committee hearing, dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo vehemently denied accusations that she is a Chinese spy. The allegations arose after the airing of a documentary on Al Jazeera English, which included a claim from jailed Chinese tycoon She Zhijiang. He alleged that Guo, referred to by her supposed Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, is an agent of China. She said he had a dossier confirming the existence of Chinese spies, with “Guo Hua Ping” among the names listed.

During the September 27, 2024 hearing, Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario presented a segment of the documentary. In this excerpt, She claimed he had communicated with Guo using his handler’s mobile phone. He suggested that Guo had asked him for money to help fund her campaign to be the mayor of Bamban during the 2022 elections.

“I really didn’t want to offend the government of the Philippines, so I didn’t give her any money,” She said in the documentary, adding that he funneled funds to her under the pretense of supporting her political aspirations.

The documentary also presented what it described as Guo’s hometown in Fujian, China, located near a Chinese Communist Party office. She was quoted by GMA Network as saying in the documentary: “Guo Hua Ping, China cannot be trusted. The two of us dedicated our lives to China’s Ministry of State Security. Look at what happened to me,” She said. “If you don’t want to be eliminated, tell the world the truth,” he added. His comments fueled suspicions and accusations against Guo.

Citing the documentary, Almario said Guo lied when she said that she was a Filipino who was born to a Filipino mother and grew up in the Philippines.

The video indicated that Guo’s mother was a Chinese national, Lin Wenyi, and that she was born in Fujian. Almario asked Guo if she knew She.

“Hindi ko po siya kilala. At sana po your honor, Mr. Chair, makuha ko rin po yung details. Gusto ko pong magdemanda,” said Guo who was visibly upset by the video. (I don’t know him. And your honor, Mr. Chair, may I also have the details. I want to sue.)

Almario disclosed: “Hindi natin siya madedemanda, Ms. Alice, because he is now jailed in Thailand. (We cannot sue him, Ms. Alice, because he is now jailed in Thailand.)

“The reason why he’s speaking the truth now is because… he is also being illegally detained.”

In response to the documentary’s claims, Guo expressed her outrage, stating that she had no knowledge of She and never requested campaign funds.

Lead chairman and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers addressed Guo by saying, “The video said you are probably a spy.”

Guo said emphatically: “Hindi po ako spy. Mahal ko po ang Pilipinas.”

The 34-year-old politician and businesswoman announced her intentions to take legal action against She for labeling her a spy. “I don’t know how, but I will find a way; I will speak to my lawyer and to the network; I will file charges,” she vowed. The former mayor insisted that it was critical for her to clear her name and stand up against what she described as unfair accusations.

As the hearing progressed, Guo’s emotional state became apparent. Rep. Margarita Ignacia Nograles pointed out the noticeable change in Guo’s demeanor, asking why she was so agitated.

“Your Honor, unfair naman po para sa akin, hindi ko po siya kilala at never po ako humingi ng campaign funds entirely,” Guo replied, expressing her frustration at the allegations. (Your Honor, this is unfair to me. I don’t know him, and I have never requested campaign funds entirely.)

“Never po ako humingi ng campaign fund during my campaign period, and ‘yong video na pinakita ni Congressman Cheeno kanina, hindi ko po siya kilala at gusto ko rin po iparating sa lahat ng mga kababayan ko at buong Pilipinas na rin po, mahal ko po ang Pilipinas.”

(I never sought campaign funding during my campaign period, and regarding the video shown by Congressman Cheeno earlier, I don’t know him either. I also want to convey to all my fellow citizens and the entire Philippines that I love this country.)

Read related article: Alice Guo Allegedly Offered P1 Billion to Filipino-Chinese Businessman to Resolve Legal Issues