Philippine Senate Orders Arrest of Mayor Alice Guo Amidst Controversy
The Philippine Senate has issued an arrest order for Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, a small-town mayor embroiled in a high-profile investigation into alleged connections with Chinese criminal syndicates.
The order, signed by the Senate president on Friday, directs the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms to enforce the arrest after Guo failed to appear for a second consecutive hearing on Wednesday, citing stress.
The investigation, initiated in May following a raid on a casino in Bamban, revealed alleged scams linked to a facility partly owned by Guo.
The Senate’s move underscores escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing amid concerns over criminal activities in the Chinese-backed online casino industry in the Philippines.
Guo, represented by her lawyer Stephen David, attributed her absence to severe physical and mental health conditions exacerbated by what he described as “massive cyberbullying and humiliation.”
David expressed hope for Guo’s recovery and eventual participation in the hearings.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, leading the inquiry, emphasized the arrest order as a necessary step towards ensuring accountability under Philippine law. The Senate has also issued arrest orders for members of Guo’s family who failed to appear before the hearings.
Guo has vehemently denied any ties to criminal elements and asserted her status as a natural-born Filipino citizen.
The case has garnered national attention, with questions raised about her citizenship and allegations of being a potential Chinese “asset,” claims she has vehemently denied.
The Chinese embassy in Manila declined to comment on inquiries regarding Guo’s identity.
In response to the Senate’s summons, Guo’s legal team has petitioned the Supreme Court to annul the summonses compelling her to attend the hearings.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. weighed in on the controversy in May, expressing curiosity about Guo’s background and directing investigations into her citizenship status in collaboration with the Bureau of Immigration.
Guo’s case unfolds against a backdrop of heightened Philippine scrutiny of Chinese activities, particularly in the South China Sea, where territorial disputes between the two nations persist.
