Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has expressed his conviction that Jian Zhong Guo, the father of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, is involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Speaking to reporters in an online press conference, Gatchalian emphasized the importance of having Guo’s family testify before the Senate, particularly focusing on Jian Zhong Guo’s activities.
Senate Summons for Guo’s Family
The summons came after the local chief executive and her family, including her suspected biological mother Lin Wen Yi and her siblings Shiela, Seimen, and Wesley Leal, failed to attend a Senate panel hearing on June 26. The panel, focused on women’s issues, is investigating the alleged illegal activities tied to the Guo family.
Gatchalian underscored the necessity of understanding the network and operations behind these illegal activities. “We should also know who they operate with here in these illegal activities. I believe that her father is also involved because if we look at the flight patterns, in 2016 and 2017, he suddenly flew to various countries. That was the peak of Pogo, and in 2019, the Bamban Pogo hub started,” said Gatchalian.
Alleged Involvement in POGO Activities
Gatchalian highlighted the suspicious travel patterns of Jian Zhong Guo during the rise of POGO activities. The senator believes these patterns indicate involvement in illegal activities. “So, I believe that her father is involved with Pogo activities. And I want to know directly from them who their transaction partners are, what activities they introduce here in our country, and where the money comes from,” Gatchalian added.
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Legal and Political Implications
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of prosecuting individuals involved in illegal POGO activities to prevent recurrence. Meanwhile, Guo’s legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David, confirmed receipt of the subpoenas but could not confirm Mayor Alice Guo’s attendance at the scheduled July 10 hearing due to her health condition. Guo had previously skipped the June 26 hearing, citing illness and stress from the allegations against her.
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Zun Yuan Technology and Alleged Criminal Activities
The Senate committee on women is probing Guo’s alleged ties to Zun Yuan Technology, an illegal POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac. Despite repeated denials from Guo, she faces intense scrutiny due to her connections and the high-profile nature of the investigation. The controversy has been further fueled by geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China, raising questions about the extent of Chinese involvement in local criminal activities and potential espionage.
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President Marcos and Local Knowledge
President Marcos mentioned knowing all politicians in Tarlac but acknowledged that no one knew Guo, raising concerns about the oversight of local politicians. Bamban, although a second-class municipality, is significant enough that its leadership should be known, especially given its strategic location in Central and Northern Luzon.
Raids and Rescues
The compound behind the municipal building in Bamban, partly owned by Guo, was raided on March 13. The raid was triggered by a Vietnamese national escaping from the Philippine offshore gaming operator firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. The raid led to the rescue of nearly 700 workers, including 202 Chinese nationals and 73 other foreigners. Zun Yuan had replaced another POGO, Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., which was raided in February of the previous year.
Senators suspect that Zun Yuan was not only involved in cyber scams but also in espionage and hacking government websites. The compound, likened to a mini city, featured tunnels through which Guo’s business partner is suspected to have escaped during the raid.
Guo’s Defense and Allegations
Guo claims to have sold her share in the compound before running for mayor and denies involvement in illegal POGO activities. Members of the Tsinoy community have pointed out that offshore gaming is illegal in China, suggesting that Beijing would not use POGOs to advance its interests. However, the Philippine government remains cautious, given the potential for POGOs to be exploited for strategic purposes.
Background and Political Context
Guo’s background has been a focal point of the investigation. She has yet to provide documents regarding her birth, her Filipina mother, her homeschooling, and the source of her substantial wealth. Her father, Jian Zhong Guo, is a hog raiser, which adds to the mystery surrounding her financial status and political rise.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that Alice Guo met all requirements for local elective posts, and no electoral protests were filed against her. She won the mayoral race in a seven-cornered fight, demonstrating the complexity of the political landscape in Bamban.
Broader Concerns About POGO Funding in Politics
Sen. Gatchalian has raised concerns about POGOs potentially financing election bids in the Philippines, drawing parallels to narco-politics. He emphasized that dirty money, including funds from large-scale corruption, often bankrolls Philippine elections, highlighting the need for stringent measures to address these issues.
Preliminary Probe and Legal Proceedings
The Department of Justice has set the preliminary investigation for the qualified human trafficking complaint against Alice Guo, Jian Zhong Guo other respondents. The PAOCC mentioned that Huang Zhiyang, Guo’s alleged business partner, is believed to be a fugitive in China, further complicating the case.
The investigation into Alice Guo, Jian Zhong Guo and her family’s alleged involvement in illegal POGO activities underscores the broader challenges of addressing corruption, criminal activities, and foreign influence in the Philippines. The outcome of these proceedings will have significant implications for the country’s political and legal landscape.