Senate concludes POGO hearing in her absence: Post-investigation actions following Guo's probe
A Raw Look into the Alice Guo Case
In the smoke-filled atmosphere of Manila's underworld, the Alice Guo case continues to unfold like a riveting thriller. After months of exhaustive probes and countless hours of cross-examination, the Senate hearing on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) reached its climax. However, the main protagonist, dismissed mayor Alice Guo, was conspicuous by her absence.
Despite a conflict in her schedule, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court denied the Senate's request to allow Guo to attend the hearing. Instead, her alleged sister, Sheila Guo, and Tony Yang, the brother of Michael Yang, found themselves in the hot seat. Both individuals were also implicated in the POGO investigation.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate women's committee, shed light on the extent of Chinese operations in the country. She shared insights from retired rear admiral Rommel Ong, who examined the interconnection between POGO operations and disinformation networks.
"The compounds are no longer just catering to illegal gambling, scamming, and trafficking, but also disinformation," Hontiveros stated.
The senator also reiterated her earlier theory that Guo might be involved in alleged espionage. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Deputy Director General Francisco "Ashley" Acedillo called Guo an "agent of influence," but admitted there was no law in the country that defines the term.
Alleged criminal She Zhijiang, a Chinese spy recruited in 2016 in the Philippines, accused Guo of being his fellow spy. Despite these allegations, the mystery of how Guo left the Philippines continues to shroud her in mystery.
After the Senate inquiry ended, the Hontiveros-led panel is expected to submit its findings in a committee report. The senate probe was conducted in aid of legislation, intending to strengthen the country's laws or make them more effective.
The investigation has already resulted in the discovery of more individuals allegedly involved in the scheme and the filing of necessary complaints against Guo. Apart from facing trafficking charges, Guo is also embroiled in money laundering cases and a quo warranto petition under the Office of the Solicitor General.
As the story unfolds, it seems like the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, is not only a fugitive of justice but also a symbol of the Philippines' struggles with accountability. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in response to Guo's escape, fired his first immigration chief and replaced him with Joel Anthony Viado.
However, Viado could not provide a conclusive answer on how Guo left the country. He did, however, commit to continuing the investigation and coordinating with other concerned agencies. Initial claims of Guo's escape via boat were dispelled last month, with the Bureau of Immigration stating that the Guos left by air instead.
The probe into POGOs has revealed how local officials may be involved in such schemes. Despite the government's crackdown on POGOs, operators appear to find ways to circumvent the policies, indicating an ongoing battle in the fight against illegal gambling and other criminal activities. The presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) states that some big POGO companies are splintering into smaller groups, making it harder for authorities to identify and eradicate them.
In this tangled web of crime and politics, one question remains: Will Alice Guo ever face justice for her alleged crimes, or will she continue to elude the long arm of the law? Stay tuned for more developments in this gripping tale.
- The Alice Guo case, which involves illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and alleged espionage, falls under the category of both general news and crime and justice.
- Senator Risa Hontiveros, the chairperson of the Senate women's committee, has linked POGO operations to disinformation networks, a topic that transcends the local politics and falls under the general-news category.
