Mayor of Bamban Seeks Fair Investigation, Appeals to Palace Committee
MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac province, is taking her plea for fairness to the highest levels of government. After writing to the Senate and the Office of the Ombudsman, Guo is now appealing to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) for a fair investigation.
In a letter addressed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who chairs the PAOCC, Guo denied any involvement with Baofu Land Development Inc., a Pogo complex in Bamban town that was raided by authorities in March.
Guo’s six-page letter, hand-delivered to Bersamin’s office by her lawyers, expressed her willingness to cooperate in uncovering the truth behind criminal activities linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). She emphasized her innocence and requested a thorough and impartial investigation to clear her name.
The embattled mayor also disputed allegations of money laundering, human trafficking, and kidnapping, claiming that these accusations have damaged her reputation and affected her ability to lead effectively. Guo emphasized that she had divested herself of any business interest in Baofu before being elected mayor in 2022.
Regarding her decision to sign a business permit for Baofu, Guo stated that this action should not automatically imply her involvement in illegal activities at the Pogo hub in Bamban. She maintained that as mayor, she did not control the day-to-day operations of the Pogo, whose licensing falls under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Despite her challenges, Guo expressed readiness to cooperate with the investigation and provide any necessary documents or testimonies to prove her innocence. The mayor’s efforts to clear her name have garnered attention and support as she navigates through the legal process.
