Alice Guo Junks Plan to Seek Reelection; Dismissed Mayor Bought Massive Fish Cages in Pangasinan

October 9, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, a suspected Chinese national linked to illegal POGO operations, has announced that she will not seek to reclaim her position as mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

During the Senate investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the former mayor stated that her priority is to clear her name before considering a political comeback.

“Hindi po [ako tatakbo]—haharapin ko po muna yung mga accusations sa akin,” Guo told Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. “Lilinisin ko po muna yung aking sarili para maging fair po sa mga minamahal kong constitutents.”

(I will not run—I need to confront the accusations against me first. I want to ensure my integrity for the sake of my beloved constituents.”

This statement follows a week after her attorney, Atty. Stephen David, indicated that she intended to file for reelection.

Currently, Guo is facing multiple charges, including money laundering, graft and corruption, and human trafficking, among others. She has also been tagged as a “Chinese spy” in an Al Jazeera documentary.

The Inquirer cited the former Tarlac mayor as saying: “I know many of you want me to file candidacy for mayor in our town next year. I hope you understand my decision to postpone this. This doesn’t mean that I’ll leave you, maybe we’ll have more time to spend with you again. I believe God has a special way of doing things.”

Chinese nationals use Pinoys as dummy owners

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has uncovered that several hectares of fish ponds in Sual, Pangasinan, are owned by Chinese nationals allegedly tied to illegal POGO operations. One of the individuals identified is Alice Guo. PAOCC Chief Gilbert Cruz reported that Guo purchased two fish cages spanning approximately four hectares in January 2024.

“Upon investigating Alice Guo’s properties, we found that she owns two fish ponds and fish cages in Sual,” Cruz stated during an interview with Bilyonaryo News Channel. This revelation raises questions about the intersection of illegal gaming activities and legitimate businesses in the region.

The PAOCC reported that 16 other Chinese nationals own fish cages in the municipality, some controlling as many as 50 cages. These individuals reportedly use Filipinos as dummy owners to circumvent regulations. Cruz explained that to own a single fish cage, a capital investment of around PHP1 million is required. “Fifty cages will cost PHP50 million. We can investigate the Chinese names we saw,” he added, indicating the scale of the operations.

In Barangays Baquerin and Kabalentian in Sual, authorities discovered a total of 1,500 fish cages. Alarmingly, local laws permit only 750 cages in the area, suggesting a significant violation of regulations. The PAOCC is currently investigating the issuance of permits for these additional cages, which raises further questions about oversight and compliance.

The link between illegal POGO activities and agricultural investments could have serious implications for food security in the Philippines. The PAOCC suggests that profits generated from illegal offshore gaming operations may be funneled into the purchase of agricultural land and assets, such as the fish ponds in Sual.

The involvement of foreign nationals in crucial sectors like agriculture complicates the situation further. The use of dummy owners to mask foreign investment undermines local laws designed to protect the livelihoods of Filipino farmers and fishers. With illegal gaming operations already straining law enforcement and regulatory frameworks, the infiltration of organized crime into agriculture poses a unique challenge for the Philippine government.

The relationship between Guo and Sual Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay has come under scrutiny from senators, who are keen to investigate the extent of their connections. In the past, Guo denied having any romantic relationship with Calugay. During the Senate probe, Senator Risa Hontiveros disclosed that Calugay might have been involved in Guo’s escape from the Philippines.