By Joseph Anthony A. Damgo
Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo (Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) yesterday bared more charges are being readied against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo who is accused of being an enabler of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) hubs.
Last Friday, PAOCC and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed non-bailable charges against Guo and others for alleged human trafficking in connection to the raided POGO hub in her municipality.
According to PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston John Casio more charges were being prepared to be filed against the embattled mayor, this time over her supposed connection in the raided illegal POGO compound in Porac, Pampanga.
“We have additional cases being prepared this week, maybe up until next week. When we have completed the documentary requirements, the complaint affidavit and all, we will also file the case with the DOJ,” Casio said during the televised Bagong Pilipinas public briefing.
Casio said digital footprints and paper trails of raided POGO hubs in Porac and Bamban established Guo’s connection to their operations.
“Since we have filed cases against her for the Bamban POGO, there’s a possibility that cases will be filed against her in connection with the Porac POGO or additional charges may be filed with regard to Bamban,” he said.
Guo, whose identity and citizenship have been placed under scrutiny, was placed under a six-month preventive suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 31 following the administrative complaints of the Department of the Interior and Local Government for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.