The Philippine Senate has issued an arrest order for Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, following her failure to appear at hearings investigating her alleged connections with Chinese criminal syndicates. This development has intensified national interest amid ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing.
Senate President’s order, signed on Friday, mandates the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms to enforce the arrest, prompted by Guo’s absence for consecutive hearings, citing stress as the reason.
The investigation into Guo began in May after authorities raided a local casino in Bamban, uncovering alleged scams operated from a facility partially owned by the mayor. Guo, through her lawyer Stephen David, cited health issues—attributed to cyberbullying and humiliation—as reasons for her non-attendance.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, heading the probe, emphasized that Guo must be held accountable under Philippine law. The Senate has also sought the arrest of Guo’s family members for their failure to appear at hearings.
Guo’s case has drawn attention to criminal activities linked to the predominantly Chinese-backed online casino industry in the Philippines. It gained prominence when questions arose about her citizenship, with allegations suggesting she might be a Chinese asset, which Guo vehemently denied.
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not commented on Guo’s identity issues. Guo maintains she is a natural-born Philippine citizen and has refuted any ties to criminal elements, attributing the accusations against her as malicious.
In May, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressed skepticism about Guo’s origins, leading to further investigations into her citizenship status, in conjunction with the Bureau of Immigration.
Guo’s situation unfolds amidst broader Philippine concerns over Chinese activities, particularly in the disputed South China Sea, where tensions over territorial claims persist between the two nations.