A mayor in the Philippines is facing questions concerning his connection to two recently raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in his municipality.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called for a thorough investigation by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) into potential connections between Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and a Tarlac-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). Gatchalian cited documents obtained by his office that raise suspicions about Guo’s involvement in activities related to the POGO, which recently came under scrutiny following raids conducted due to complaints of human trafficking and serious illegal detention.
Among the documents is a Sangguniang Bayan (Local Council) Resolution from September 2020, approving an application by Guo, then a private citizen, for a license to operate Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. This company’s premises were raided in February 2023 and subsequently established as Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., the site of the recent raid.
Additionally, a list of vehicles found at Zun Yuan Tech includes a Ford Expedition registered under Guo’s name, as verified by the local Land Transportation Office (LTO). On top of that, an electricity bill over PHP15.111 million ($269,000) from a local supplier covering the period from September 2023 to February 2024 and addressed to the mayor was also found at the premises of Zuan Yuan Technology.
Gatchalian, a former mayor himself, stressed the importance of local government officials focusing on crime prevention within their jurisdictions and avoiding involvement in questionable enterprises like POGOs.
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means has filed a resolution to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into allegations of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture at the Zun Yuan premises in Bamban, Tarlac.
