MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) believes there is evidence to prove that dismissed mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac is not a Filipino and that she should be kicked out of the country.
Guo, said to be a Chinese citizen named Guo Hua Ping, attended for the first time a hearing of the BI’s board of special inquiry led by its chief Gilbert Repizo in Intramuros, Manila yesterday.
Accompanied by her lawyer Stephen David, Guo challenged the BI’s allegation that she is not a Filipino.
Repizo maintained there is enough evidence to dispute Guo, as he showed the finding from the National Bureau of Investigation that reported both “Alice Guo” and “Guo Hua Ping” having the exact same fingerprint, as well as Guo’s falsified birth certificate.
“These data were legally, validly and voluntarily given by your client,” Repizo said, referring to Guo.
He called on Guo to “challenge” these findings, including the biometrics, by seeking a “competent witness or expert” within 15 days.
Meanwhile, David asserted it would be “unfair” for Guo to be deported from the Philippines.
“It is unfair to deport a Filipino citizen who is not recognized. She will be stateless because no one will accept her. What will be her state then?” he said.
Guo is currently detained at the Pasig City Jail and faces charges of qualified human trafficking and graft. She is accused of using her former position as mayor to build a Philippine offshore gaming operator firm and scam hub in Bamban.