Senator Sherwin Gatchalian acknowledged receiving threats to his life due to his active participation in the ongoing Senate investigation on suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping and her alleged ties to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Gatchalian was the one who obtained documents from the Board of Investments and the Bureau of Immigration to reveal the true identity of Guo, whose parents are both Chinese, debunking her earlier claims that she was a love child born to a Filipino mother.
Just recently, Gatchalian also discovered school records of Guo from Grace Christian School in Quezon City, which likewise contradicted her statements that she had been homeschooled by a certain “Teacher Rubilyn” in a farm.
The senator noted that Guo studied in the said school from Grades 1 to 3 when she was 10 to 12 years old. He also presented the class photos of Guo Hua Ping.
Gatchalian also made public the assets of Guo and her business partners in the illegal operations of POGOs in Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga, which were ordered frozen by the Court of Appeals upon the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
He already reached out to Pasay City Police sub-station commander P/Maj. Benjamin Mandane to report the threats, which the senator believes is a consequence of his active participation in the POGO investigation and its connection with Mayor Guo and her family.
“I am writing to formally report an incident involving threats made against my life,” said Gatchalian in his letter dated July 4. He said he was informed by his staff about a video circulating online containing “explicit threats” directed at his personal safety and well-being.
Gatchalian noted that the creation and online dissemination of this video has caused him substantial concern for his security, as well as the safety of those around him, particularly his family and staff.
“In light of these serious threats, I formally request that the Pasay City Police initiate a police report on this matter and conduct a thorough investigation. I urge you to take swift action to ensure the safety of myself and those associated with me,” said Gatchalian.
The transcript of the video attached to the letter indicated that Guo allegedly paid P10 million to silence Gatchalian and Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, leading the investigation.
Hontiveros has yet to issue a statement on the matter.