Senate assures Guo's safety ahead of POGO crimes hearing

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Wednesday, September 4, assured the safety of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, who will be detained in its premises to ensure her presence at the upper chamber’s public hearing on crimes related to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO). 

The Senate’s Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) chief Ret. Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan said Guo would be detained at the Senate along with her sister Shiela to attend the Senate investigation.

Ancan said he might add more personnel around the custodial facility, if necessary, to further ensure Guo’s safety.

Ancan noted that at present, there are enough police and security guards in addition to OSAA to provide security to Guo and those detained at the Senate custodial center.

Ancan further said he would allow Guo’s relatives and friends, and even her lawyer, to visit, as they did with Shiela.

With Guo’s arrest, senators are hopeful she would shed light on illegal POGOs in the country.

Senate President Francis Escudero said Guo could now be brought to justice.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian thanked Indonesian authorities and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for their swift action in apprehending Guo and her associates.

Gatchalian said senators vowed to grill Guo about her role and accomplices in illegal activities.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she is looking forward to having Guo back at the Senate to face the investigation on her alleged links to illegal offshore activities.

The Senate will resume today its investigation on the Guo family’s use of fake Filipino citizenships to set up businesses here as fronts for laundering dirty money from syndicates.

As mayor, Guo was accused of helping set up an illegal offshore casino hub in Bamban, just behind the town hall as a front for online hacking and digital scams. – Daphne Galvez, Evelyn Macairan, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Marc Jayson Cayabyab