The Philippines’ Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) rejected a proposal on Saturday to designate suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo as a state witness, asserting that such a move would only be considered if she could identify someone “higher” and more culpable than herself.
According to the Philippine News Agency, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio expressed his belief that the suspended local government chief is not the least culpable among the suspects under investigation for human trafficking.
In fact, the PAOCC official stated during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Guo holds the highest position in the “food chain” when questioned about Guo’s level of culpability among those identified and currently in custody.”
Casio added that any state witness, in any case, must be the least guilty in the entire conspiracy behind the crime.
“Based on authorities’ assessment of the current evidence, Guo does not qualify as the least guilty at this time,” Casio mentioned. He also noted that if future evidence suggests Guo is the least guilty, they could consider her as a state witness.
Meanwhile, David & Jamilla Law Offices, legal counsel for Alice Guo, sent a letter to Senator Risa Hontiveros refuting any association with Jian Zhong Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Seimen Leal Guo, and Wenyi Lin, who are accused of involvement in illegal POGO operations.
According to The Philippine Star, “As much as we want to comply with the processes of the Senate Committee, we regret to inform you that we do not represent the above-named individuals… We would like to clarify and make it of record that our law firm only represents Mayor Alice Leal Guo, and her alone,” their statement read.
Senator Risa Hontiveros is one of the Philippine political figures who stands on the frontline calling for a POGO ban.
Alice Guo “POGO Mayor” is the focal point of the Senate investigation concerning the raided POGO hub in Bamban, with documents indicating her direct involvement in processing operations.
Additionally, she is under suspicion of involvement in a criminal syndicate run by Chinese nationals.
Questions have arisen about Guo’s citizenship due to inconsistencies in her testimonies regarding her background and alleged questionable documents related to her Filipino citizenship.
Despite these issues, Guo has denied any involvement in illegal POGO activities and continues to assert her Filipino citizenship.
