Additional charges are expected to be brought against “POGO Mayor”Alice Guo, who stands accused of facilitating illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hubs, the nation’s Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said.
On Friday, the PAOCC and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) lodged a complaint against Guo and others for alleged human trafficking linked to the raided POGO hub in her municipality.
Winston John Casio, spokesperson for the PAOCC, indicated that additional charges were being readied against the embattled mayor. This time, the charges pertain to her alleged involvement in the raided illegal POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
During a televised Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, Casio stated, “We are currently preparing additional cases this week, possibly extending into next week. Once we have completed all documentary requirements, including the complaint affidavit, we will file the case with the DOJ (Department of Justice).”
Casio also emphasized that digital footprints and paper trails from raided POGO hubs in Porac and Bamban establish Guo’s involvement in their operations.
He added, “Since charges have already been filed against her in Bamban, there’s a possibility of additional charges being filed against Mayor Guo in connection with the Porac POGO or in relation to the Bamban case.”
Guo, whose identity and citizenship are under scrutiny, was placed on a six-month preventive suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 31st. This followed administrative complaints from the Department of the Interior and Local Government alleging grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
