The arrest of ousted Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo marks the “end of the road” for her, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who urged the accused Chinese spy to “reveal everything” at the resumption of the Senate hearing on illegal online gambling operations on Monday, Sept. 9.
Guo, currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, will be brought to the Senate to face the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros.
This will be her third appearance in the ongoing inquiry into her involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities. Guo fled the country after her previous attendance but was arrested in Indonesia.
Despite a Senate-issued arrest warrant for contempt, Guo remains in PNP custody due to her refusal to post bail for a separate graft case in Capas, Tarlac.
Gatchalian, who co-leads the Senate investigation, emphasized that Guo should disclose the details of her involvement in illegal POGO operations and identify any government officials, who may have aided her during her escape.
During a Senate executive session, Gatchalian revealed evidence of collusion between government officials and law enforcers, but refrained from sharing further details. He confirmed that Guo will be questioned on these matters during Monday’s hearing.
Guo’s sister, Shiela, had previously testified that they fled the country by boat, eventually reaching Sabah, Malaysia. Shiela and their business associate, Cassandra Li Ong, were later arrested by Indonesian immigration authorities.
Gatchalian reiterated that Guo’s arrest signifies her imminent imprisonment. “She has nowhere (else) to go,” he said in a radio interview on DZBB.
Anticipating that Guo may invoke her constitutional rights to avoid self-incrimination, Gatchalian vowed to persist in inviting her to Senate hearings.
He assured that the Senate would continue gathering evidence from law enforcement agencies to strengthen the cases against her, which include charges of money laundering, graft, and human trafficking.
“If you will look at all the cases filed against her, almost all of them cane from the Senate,” Gatchalian pointed out, adding that they have obtained information about Guo’s dealings with high-ranking officials even before her term as mayor.
Gatchalian emphasized that the Senate will verify any details Guo provides during the hearing.
