The Philippines Senate has cited Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven others for contempt and ordered their arrest for repeatedly ignoring inquiries into illegal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
According to local media reports, during Wednesday’s Senate panel on women’s issues, Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, issued the ruling following separate motions by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
Hontiveros resumed the investigation into reported crimes associated with POGOs, including human trafficking and torture. On Tuesday, Alice Guo informed the senator that due to illness and death threats, she would be unable to attend the hearing. This is Alice Guo’s second time skipping the resumption of the Senate investigation into the raided POGO hub in her town.
Also cited in contempt were the mayor’s father, Jian Zhong Guo; her mother, Wenyi Lin; her siblings, Seimen Leal Guo, Shiela Guo, and Wesley Leal Guo; POGO incorporator Nancy Gamo; and Dennis Cunanan, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general.
“This committee is ordering the arrest of the individuals cited for contempt, pending submission to the Senate President for his signature,” said Hontiveros.
She also mentioned that she would send a letter to Senate President Chiz Escudero’s office after the hearing.
Alice Guo is known as the “POGO Mayor” as she has been linked to illegal POGO operations. She is also facing various accusations, such as allegations of being a Chinese spy, and identity theft.
