A panel in Philippine congress wants a deeper probe into dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s alleged links to Chinese espionage.
A House quad committee is now recommending further investigation into dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, focusing on potential espionage and other charges.
A 51-page progress report summarizing the committee's four-month inquiry outlines the basis for this recommendation. It calls for a thorough investigation into Guo, specifically addressing allegations of her being a Chinese spy with connections to Chinese mafias.
The report states that if the findings warrant it, appropriate legal cases should be filed, including potential criminal prosecutions for espionage. This recommendation signifies a shift in focus, raising concerns beyond typical administrative or corruption charges.
The committee's concerns arise from various pieces of unverified information surrounding Guo. This includes her alleged connection to confessed Chinese spy Shi Zhijang, as featured in an Al Jazeera documentary. Lawmakers questioned Guo about this connection during the House inquiry, contributing to the ongoing investigation.
The investigation also examines Guo’s prior involvement with POGOs. She was identified as the former owner of the Baofu compound in Bamban, which housed several POGO service providers, including those linked to Xionwei Technology, a company associated with Allan Lim, an associate of former Duterte economic adviser Michael Yang. This connection forms part of the broader investigation into the POGO industry.
Further contributing to the complexity of the case are allegations that Guo misrepresented her citizenship using a reportedly falsified birth certificate. This alleged misrepresentation allowed her to acquire landholdings and hold public office. The Pasig court's denial of Guo's petition for bail is a procedural element in the ongoing legal process.
The committee's investigation has also extended to other local officials. Mayors Liseldo Calugay of Sual, Pangasinan, and Teddy Tumang of Mexico, Pampanga, are also recommended for investigation regarding their interactions with Guo and their roles in allowing POGOs to operate within their respective jurisdictions. This suggests a broader inquiry into local government oversight of the POGO industry.
Read related article: Court Denies Alice Guo’s Bail Petition
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