- Police hunt mayor accused of being Chinese spy as she goes into hiding
- Guo is linked to scam centres uncovered in Bamban, leading to suspicions about her Chinese parentage and potential espionage for Beijing
- Her case has captivated the nation, especially amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing
- The Senate ordered her arrest after she ignored summonses related to the scam centres
Police hunt mayor accused of being Chinese spy
The mayor of Bamban, Philippines, Alice Guo, accused of being a Chinese spy, has gone into hiding, officials say. Police were unable to arrest her over the weekend as she was not found at any of her known addresses. Guo is linked to scam centres uncovered in Bamban, concealed in online casinos catering to mainland Chinese, leading to suspicions about her Chinese parentage and potential espionage for Beijing.
Her case has captivated the nation, especially amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea. The Senate ordered her arrest after she ignored summonses related to the scam centres. Senator Risa Hontiveros urged her to come forward, while Senator Sherwin Gatchalian claimed she is a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping, based on immigration records.
On the day her arrest warrant was issued, Guo posted a message on Facebook, apologising for her absence and expressing her love for the Philippines. Her lawyer assured that she would cooperate with investigations. Guo is also facing an anti-graft probe, leading to her suspension.
The scam centres in Bamban highlight how online casinos, or Pogos, have been used for criminal activities. Under former President Rodrigo Duterte, Pogos flourished, but current President Ferdinand Marcos has increased scrutiny. If Guo is proven to be a Chinese citizen, she would be ineligible to serve as mayor. Despite the allegations, her constituents appreciate her social outreach programs and the positive changes she brought to Bamban.