The mayor of Bamban, the Philippines, Alice Guo, is currently wanted on charges of spying and running phony casinos. The BBC reports that Guo, who has now fled into hiding, has an arrest warrant out for him. Suspicions regarding her possible involvement in criminal activities have grown since her disappearance.
Guo was summoned twice to explain her conduct, but she ignored them, leading the Philippine Senate to issue the arrest warrant. The nationwide search for Guo is currently involving law enforcement authorities. She is charged with operating fraud operations that pose as online casinos and prey on Chinese citizens.
The allegations against Guo are severe. Besides being accused of spying for China, Guo allegedly operated scam centers involved in text scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities. These scam centers, disguised as legitimate online casinos, have complicated law enforcement efforts.
Adding to the intrigue, some criminal rings associated with these casinos reportedly operated secret hospitals. These facilities allegedly provided cosmetic surgeries to fugitives, helping them alter their appearances and evade capture. Guo is also under investigation for corruption, and her nationality is under scrutiny.
International Repercussions and Government Response
Guo’s case emerges amid rising tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly over the South China Sea. While the Chinese embassy supports the Philippines’ crackdown on offshore gambling and human trafficking, any connection between Guo and Chinese interests could undermine this position.
Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada has called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to locate Guo. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of involving agencies like the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation to prevent Guo from fleeing abroad.
“All government agencies with police powers need to team up in order to find Guo,” said Estrada.
Guo’s lawyer appeared on local TV, stating that the mayor would cooperate with authorities. Despite her alleged crimes and possible Chinese heritage, many of her constituents remain supportive, appreciating her contributions to Bamban town through various social programs. As the search for Guo intensifies, the case continues to draw national and international attention.
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