Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has submitted a letter to Malacañang requesting a fair investigation into various allegations against her, including her supposed involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities.
In her seven-page letter to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who also chairs the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Guo strongly denied accusations of espionage, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping and illegal POGO operations.
“It is simply a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary as the Chairman of the PAOCC, expressing the Mayor's intention to uncover the truth and for justice to prevail,” stated lawyer Lorelei Santos of David and Jamilla Law Offices.
When asked if Guo was seeking a fair probe, Santos affirmed, “Yes, in summary that is our request.”
Over the weekend, the PAOCC announced plans to file "serious" and "non-bailable criminal charges" against Guo, citing evidence of her involvement in illegal POGO activities in her area.
Guo was suspended for six months without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 31. This followed administrative complaints from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, citing grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Additionally, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality has initiated an inquiry into the issues surrounding Guo.
The PAOCC is also investigating a potential link between illegal POGO operations in Bamban, Tarlac and those recently raided in Porac, Pampanga.
The issue of illegal POGO operations has been a long-standing one, especially in the light of some operations having ties to foreign crime syndicates.
