『Philippines,Pilipinas,菲律宾』 10 anti-human trafficking, anti-scams, anti-cybercrime, love scam, POGOs, Philippine Offshore Gamng Operations, Online casino, Alice Guo, 郭华萍 2024.9.13-9.23

POGO execs admit being paid to keep silent, pose as incorporators
September 25, 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Executives of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) were allegedly paid by dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo to keep silent about their involvement, Zun Yuan Technology treasurer “Alex” revealed after surrendering to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday, September 22.

Alex, along with the corporate secretary of Zun Yuan, turned themselves in following the raid of two POGO companies in Bamban.

The pair claimed that their real business was buying and selling cars, but in 2023 they were allegedly approached by Guo’s staff and offered P20,000 and a monthly dividend in exchange for lending their names as incorporators of the POGO company.

After the POGO was raided, Alex and other officials were summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation, House of Representatives and Senate in May.

However, they were allegedly told not to cooperate with authorities. The suspects said they were urged not to say anything because they would fight the charges.

Alex also disclosed that when the Senate hearing began drawing more attention to Guo, they were given cash and instructed to hide.

“We were given money to change houses,” he said, adding that he received P500,000. He claimed that the money came from Jeremy Santos, a staff member of Guo.

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POGO 高管承认收受贿赂保持沉默并冒充发起人

菲律宾马尼拉——9 月 22 日星期日，尊元科技财务主管“亚历克斯”向国家调查局（NBI）自首后透露，被解职的班班市市长 Alice Guo 收买了菲律宾一家离岸博彩运营商（POGO）的高管，让他们对此事保持沉默。

在班班两家 POGO 公司遭到突袭后，亚历克斯与尊元集团的公司秘书一起自首。

两人声称，他们的真正业务是买卖汽车，但据称，2023 年，郭的员工找到他们，并向他们提供 20,000 比索和每月股息，以换取他们作为 POGO 公司发起人的名字。

在菲律宾离岸博彩公司遭到突击检查后，亚历克斯和其他官员于 5 月收到了国家调查局、众议院和参议院的传唤。

然而，据称他们被告知不要与当局合作。嫌疑人说，他们被敦促不要说任何话，因为他们将对指控进行抗辩。

亚历克斯还透露，当参议院的听证会开始让更多人关注郭华萍时，他们收到了现金并被指示躲起来。

“我们得到了换房子的钱，”他说，并补充说他收到了 50 万比索。他声称这笔钱来自郭的一名工作人员杰里米·桑托斯。

Alice Guo posts bail for graft charges, but will remain detained

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo on Friday posted bail for graft charges but will remain detained due to another case and contempt orders from the Senate and House of Representatives.

Through her lawyers, Guo, who is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, posted bail of P540,000 at the Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court Branch 282 for charges involving violations of Section 3(e) and 3(h) of Republic Act 3019.

Her graft charges stemmed from the complaint filed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government over her alleged involvement in the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban.

Guo’s arraignment was supposed to be held on Friday, but it was postponed after her camp filed a motion to quash information.

Meanwhile, the Pasig RTC Branch 167 has ordered the transfer of Guo from the PNP Custodial Center to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory in connection with her qualified trafficking case, a non-bailable case.

In Sandra Aguinaldo’s report in “24 Oras”, Guo was undergoing a medical check up in Crame before her expected transfer on Friday night.

The dismissed mayor will have a space at the female dormitory’s fourth floor alongside over 40 other inmates. However, the said area was supposed to only handle nine inmates.

Also detained in the female dormitory are the three other co-accused of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy.

However, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assured that Guo would not be given any special treatment while in detention.

She was also charged with 87 counts of money laundering before the Department of Justice.

The former mayor also faces a non-bailable case of qualified human trafficking before a Pasig court, which ordered her transfer to the city jail.

Aside from this, she was charged with 87 counts of money laundering before the Department of Justice.

A quo warranto petition has also been filed against Guo, who is also identified as Guo Hua Ping, with a Manila court, as well as a petition to cancel her birth certificate before a Tarlac court. She has denied the accusations against her.

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被解职的班班 (Bamban) 市市长艾丽斯·郭 (Alice Guo) 周五因贪污罪名获得保释，但由于另一起案件（非法经营 POGO 有关的不可保释的贩卖人口案件）以及参议院和众议院的藐视法庭命令，她将继续被拘留。

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Valenzuela court resets Alice Guo arraignment to Sept. 30

MANILA – A Valenzuela court has postponed the arraignment of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to September 30.

Guo went to the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court Branch 282 on Friday for her arraignment for the two counts of graft filed against her by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The graft case was filed against Guo for allegedly using her position to issue permits for the illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Bamban.

The Supreme Court earlier allowed the transfer of Guo’s graft cases from Capas, Tarlac to Valenzuela, but Valenzuela RTC Branch 282 Judge Elena Amigo Amano postponed the arraignment to September 30, citing the pending motion to quash information filed by Guo’s camp when the case was still in Capas, Tarlac.

The court allowed the prosecution to submit its position paper regarding the case, but during the hearing, there seemed to be a custody issue, or where Guo will be detained.

Judge Amano decided that Guo should be held in the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Valenzuela while waiting for her arraignment.

But during the hearing, the court also received a request for custody from the House of Representatives because of the contempt order on Guo. The Senate also requested custody of Guo.

The court also decided on a P540,000 bail bond for Guo.

As of posting, Guo has posted bail, and is on her way to Camp Crame where she will undergo a medical check-up before her transfer to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

The Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 167 earlier issued a commitment order against Guo for her non-bailable qualified trafficking case in connection with the operation of illegal POGOs.

In the decision of Presiding Judge Annielyn Medes-Cabelis, the court ordered the transfer of Guo from the Philippine National Police custodial facility in Camp Crame to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

The court also ordered the transfer of Guo’s co-accused Walter Wong Long from the Tarlac Provincial Jail to the Pasig City Jail Male Dormitory.

“All the accused in these cases are not entitled to post bail as the charges against them are all non-bailable,” said Medes-Cabelis.

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巴伦苏埃拉法院将被解职的打拉省班班市长郭爱丽丝的提审推迟至 9 月 30 日。

法庭还决定对郭先生支付 54 万比索的保释金。

截至目前，郭女士已交纳保释金，正在前往克兰姆营的路上，她将在那里接受体检，之后将转移到帕西格市监狱女子宿舍。

此前，帕西格市地区审判法院第 167 分院已对郭发出了拘押令，理由是她涉嫌与非法经营 POGO 有关的不可保释的贩卖人口案件。

主审法官安妮琳·梅德斯·卡贝利斯（Annielyn Medes-Cabelis）作出判决，法庭下令将郭从菲律宾国家警察位于克拉姆营的拘留所转移到帕西格市监狱女子宿舍。

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Court orders Guo transfer to Pasig City jail

MANILA – The Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ordered the transfer of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Quezon City to the Pasig City Jail female dormitory in connection with her qualified human trafficking case.

In a four-page order, Pasig RTC Branch 167 presiding judge Annielyn Cabelis said the court found probable cause to hold Guo and her co-accused for trial.

Guo’s co-accused are Huang Zhiyang, Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon, Zhang Ruijin, Baoying Lin, Yu Zheng Can, Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Roderick Paul Bernardo Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpas, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro, Rita Sapnu Yturralde, Rowena Gonzales Evangelista, Thelma Barrogo Laranan, Maybelline Requiro Millo (a.k.a. Shana Yiyi) and Walter Wong Long.

Long, a Malaysian national currently detained at the Tarlac Provincial Jail, was among those apprehended at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Bamban, Tarlac during a raid in March.

They are also charged with violation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

The accused “are not entitled to post bail as the charges against them are all non-bailable,” the order said.

The Pasig court scheduled the arraignment and pre-trial of Guo and Long on Sept. 27 at 8:30 a.m. via videoconferencing.

Guo will return to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame after her graft case arraignment before Valenzuela City RTC Branch 95 as her transfer is being arranged.

PNP ready for Guo transfer

The PNP, meanwhile, said it has received the court order for Guo’s transfer.

“We will follow the court’s order. We are also awaiting the disposition of the Valenzuela court today during their arraignment and pre-trial, if it would issue a commitment order with respect to the case filed against her in Valenzuela. But since the Pasig RTC has issued an order, we will honor this order,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Last week, the graft case against Guo was transferred from a Capas, Tarlac lower court to the Valenzuela RTC due to lack of jurisdiction under Republic Act 10660 (Functional and Structural Organization of the Sandiganbayan).

Fajardo said once Guo is transferred to the Pasig City Jail, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will supervise whenever Guo has a hearing at the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The PNP is ready to provide additional security in transporting the dismissed mayor, if needed, Fajardo said. (PNA)

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Guo to be detained at Pasig City Jail

DISMISSED Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be detained at the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory, following an order issued by the Pasig City court on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

The order was issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 167, which is handling the non-bailable qualified human trafficking complaints filed against Guo and several others by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the raided illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Bamban.

The court also ordered the arrest of Guo’s co-accused, including Huang Zhiyang, Zhang Ruijin, Baoying Lin, Yu Zheng Can, Dennis Cunanan, Thelma Laranan, Rowena Evangelista, Rita Yturralde, Jamielyn Santos Cruz, Roderick Paul Bernardo Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpas, Merlie Joy Manalo Castro, and Maybelline Millo, also known as “Shanna Yiyi.”

Among these individuals are Guo’s incorporators at Baofu Land Development Inc. (BLDI), which owns the land leased by the raided illegal POGO hub, Zun Yuan Technology Inc. (ZYTI).

Huang Zhiyang is alleged to be “the boss of all bosses” of Pogos in the country and is accused of aiding Guo’s escape amid the ongoing investigation by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality into the Bamban Pogo.

Cunanan, the former deputy director general of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), is alleged to serve as a representative for the illegal POGO firm.

Castro, Laranan, Evangelista, and Yturralde were identified as incorporators of Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., which was raided by authorities on February 1, 2023, for involvement in illegal activities. Following the raid, Hongsheng changed its name to ZYTI.

Castro testified during the Senate probe, denying involvement in Pogo activities. She said that she is from Concepcion, Tarlac, and works as a call center agent.

It was previously found that Castro’s TIN number differed from the records when she was listed as the firm’s incorporator.

She also said that Laranan is a vegetable vendor, Evangelista is a breakfast vendor, and Yturralde is a barbecue vendor, all from Concepcion.

Guo is currently detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility in Camp Crame on graft and corruption charges filed against her by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

She has refused to pay bail for these charges due to the arrest order issued against her by the Senate panel.

In a press conference, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief Colonel Jean Fajardo confirmed that they have received a copy of the order.

Following her arraignment at the Valenzuela City court, where her graft charges were transferred from Capas, Tarlac, Guo will be brought back to Camp Crame and undergo processing for her transfer to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

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帕西格地区审判法院（RTC）已下令将前塔拉克省班班市市长艾丽斯·郭（Alice Guo）从奎松市菲律宾国家警察（PNP）拘留中心转移到帕西格市监狱女子宿舍，以应对其涉嫌人口贩卖案。

帕西格 RTC 第 167 分院主审法官安尼琳·卡贝利斯 (Annielyn Cabelis) 在一份长达四页的命令中表示，法庭认为有理由对郭及其同案被告进行审判。

郭的同案被告包括黄志扬、雷切尔·琼·马隆佐·卡雷翁、张瑞金、林宝英、于正灿、丹尼斯·拉克森·库纳南、杰米林·桑托斯·克鲁兹、罗德里克·保罗·贝尔纳多·普詹特、胡安·米格尔·阿尔帕斯、梅里·乔伊·马纳洛·卡斯特罗、丽塔·萨普努·伊图拉德、罗伊纳冈萨雷斯·伊万格利斯塔 (Gonzales Evangelista)、塞尔玛·巴罗戈·拉兰南 (Thelma Barrogo Laranan)、美宝莲 Requiro Millo（又名夏娜·伊伊）和沃尔特·黄龙 (Walter Wong Long)。

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Heavy security surrounds the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court where dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo is scheduled for arraignment on graft charges on Sept. 20, 2024. Guo, wearing a green Kevlar helmet and bullet proof vest, is escorted back to a waiting van after the court allowed her to post a P540,000 bail and reset the arraignment on September 30.

巴伦瑞拉地区审判法院戒备森严，已被解职的塔拉克省市长艾丽斯·郭定于 2024 年 9 月 20 日在此接受贪污指控的审讯。郭戴着绿色凯夫拉头盔，身穿防弹背心，在法庭允许她缴纳 54 万比索保释金并将审讯日期重新定于 9 月 30 日后，被押送回一辆等候的面包车。

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Alice Guo leaves Camp Crame for Valenzuela court arraignment

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo on Friday noon left the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City to attend an arraignment in Valenzuela City court.

The convoy of Guo left the detention facility around 12:08 p.m., according to a report of Christian Maño on Super Radyo dzBB.

Guo is facing a graft case in Valenzuela City Regional Trial Court Branch 95.

Earlier, the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued a warrant of arrest against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in connection with her qualified trafficking case.

In a four-page order, the Pasig RTC Branch 167 also directed the transfer of Guo from the PNP Custodial Facility in Camp Crame to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

“All the accused in these cases are not entitled to post bail as the charges against them are all non-bailable,” the court said.

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据克里斯蒂安·马尼奥 (Christian Maño) 在 Super Radyo dzBB 电台报道，郭的车队于下午 12 点 08 分左右离开拘留所。

郭目前正在瓦伦瑞拉市地区审判法院第 95 分院面临贪污案的审理。

此前，帕西格地区审判法院（RTC）已对被解职的塔拉克省市长艾丽斯·郭（Alice Guo）发出了逮捕令，理由是她涉嫌贩卖人口。

帕西格 RTC 第 167 分局在一份长达四页的命令中还指示将郭从克雷姆营的菲律宾国家警察局拘留所转移到帕西格市监狱女子宿舍。

法庭表示：“这些案件的所有被告均无权保释，因为针对他们的指控均不可保释。”

(The Philippine News Agency)
Foreign POGO workers given until Oct. 15 to voluntarily repatriate

POGO CLOSURE. Members of “Task Force POGO Closure” composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Bureau of Immigration convene in a high-level meeting on Thursday (Sept. 19, 2024). The meeting was convened pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) to ban all POGOs in the country by the end of the year. (DOJ photo)

MANILA – Foreign workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have until Oct. 15 to voluntarily repatriate, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

This was agreed upon by the “Task Force POGO Closure” composed of the DOJ, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during a high-level meeting, according to a news release.

“Consequently, starting on October 16, 2024, all 9G visas of affected foreign POGO workers would be downgraded to tourist visas and they would have to leave the Philippines within 60 days or face involuntary repatriation,” the DOJ said.

The meeting was convened pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) to ban all POGOs in the country by the end of the year.

The Task Force aims to establish a clear, organized and streamlined set of guidelines for the total prohibition of POGO operations throughout the country by the end of the year without sacrificing the welfare of the workers who will be affected by the Presidential directive.

“This may just be the first one that would be convened by us in order for us to have a streamlined, systematic and efficient process of implementing the policy directive of our President,” Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, however, warned that the most challenging part for the Task Force in weeding out POGOs from the country begins on the “very first day” of 2025 as they foresee that “POGO operators will try to employ dirty tactics to hide their illegal business.”

At present, the 41 licensed POGOs under PAGCOR have already expressed their intention to yield to the directive of President Marcos and completely cease operations.

The DOJ assured it will continue to work closely with the Task Force until the total POGO ban is smoothly implemented before the year ends.

“The harm and danger fueled by illegal POGO activities have undeniably placed public safety and national security at risk for quite some time and justice will never take these matters sitting down,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

“With the President’s guidance, we can now unleash the full consequences of the law against these undesirable elements of society.” (PNA)

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外国 POGO 员工必须在 10 月 15 日之前自愿回国
关闭网络博彩业。由司法部 (DOJ)、劳工和就业部、菲律宾娱乐和博彩公司、总统反有组织犯罪委员会和移民局组成的“网络博彩业关闭特别工作组”成员于周四（2024 年 9 月 19 日）召开了一次高层会议。此次会议是根据小费迪南德·R·马科斯总统在其第三次国情咨文 (SONA) 中的指示召开的，该指示要求在年底前禁止该国所有网络博彩业。

马尼拉——菲律宾司法部（DOJ）周四表示，菲律宾离岸博彩运营商（POGO）的外国工人必须在 10 月 15 日之前自愿回国。

据新闻稿称，这是由司法部、劳工就业部（DOLE）、菲律宾娱乐博彩公司（PAGCOR）、总统反有组织犯罪委员会（PAOCC）和移民局（BI）组成的“关闭POGO特别工作组”在高层会议上达成的协议。

司法部表示：“因此，从 2024 年 10 月 16 日起，所有受影响的外国 POGO 工人的 9G 签证将降级为旅游签证，并且他们必须在 60 天内离开菲律宾，否则将面临非自愿遣返。”

这次会议是根据总统费迪南德·马科斯（Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.）在其第三次国情咨文（SONA）中的指示召开的，该指示要求在年底前禁止该国所有 POGO。

CIDG finds lead in tracking Harry Roque

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it has information regarding the whereabouts of former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) spokesperson Lt.Col. Imelda Reyes said they are pursuing a lead regarding their manhunt operation on Roque, who has gone into hiding since he was held in contempt by the House of Representatives.

House now considers Harry Roque a ‘fugitive’ — lawmaker

“Ang lead na yun doon lang nag uumpisa and then ivavalidate and then kapag positive na mas maireveal natin ‘yun… Kahit papaano may pinag-umpisahan na tayo, mapag umpisahan na kami sa paghahanap na sa kanya since wala nga siya doon sa kanyang residence,” said Reyes.

Reyes said they were able to obtain CCTV footage which could help point to Roque’s location.

“Nakita siya. Kailangan natin ng recording para malocate talaga so but as of now maganda naman (ang development) kasi may nakapag positive na nakakita sa kanya sa area that’s why vinavalidate natin,” she said.

Meanwhile, she warned anyone who will be caught harboring the former presidential spokesman.

“If ever naman na meron mag coddle sa kanya ay meron naman kaukulan kung mapatunayan natin ay yung obstruction of justice sakaling meron man,” she said.

Roque draws flak for blaming Congress over ‘family woes’

The PNP earlier said their tracker team led by the CIDG did not find Roque in two addresses in Metro Manila.

But the Bureau of Immigration assured Roque is still in the Philippines.

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Informant tells PNP of seeing Harry Roque as search continues

MANILA, Philippines — An informant has already positively identified former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who faces arrest after the House of Representatives quad committee cited him for contempt.

Lt. Col. Imelda Reyes, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) spokesperson, however, refused to provide further details.

The CIDG formed a “tracker team” to search for Roque.

“As of now maganda naman kasi, may nakapag positive na nakakita sa kanya sa area that’s why bina-validate natin,” Reyes told reporters in a phone interview.

(As of now, there is a good development because someone positively [identified] him in an area. That’s why we are validating it.)

To date, Reyes said authorities are trying to gather more “supporting documents” like CCTV footage.

Reyes also reminded those aiding Roque would be charged with obstruction of justice.

“If ever na meron mag-coddle sa kanya ay meron naman kaukulan kung mapatunayan natin ay yung obstruction of justice,” she said.

(If ever, someone proven in coddling him will face obstruction of justice.)

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo on Wednesday said Roque was nowhere to be found on the offices and addresses registered under his name.

The House quad committee held Roque in contempt , and he was ordered detained in the House for the second time.

This second contempt stemmed from Roque’s continued noncompliance with the lower chamber’s subpoena ordering Roque to submit his SALN from 2016-2022, his and his wife Maila’s income tax returns from 2014-2022 and their respective medical certificates, the extrajudicial settlement of the estate including tax returns of his late aunt, and the deed of sale with tax returns and transfer of property of the 1.8-hectare property in Multinational Village, Paranaque that his family sold.

Once arrested, Roque would be detained until he submits the documents or until the quad committee is dissolved.

It can be recalled that Roque was also ordered detained last month, but only for 24 hours, for supposedly lying to the same committee as to why he failed to attend the first hearing in Pampanga last week.

The former lawmaker is linked to Lucky South 99, the raided Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga, after operatives found documents with his signature, but Roque has repeatedly denied having any links with the Pogo hub.

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Manhunt intensifies for another suspect in Philippines offshore gaming scandal

Former Philippine government official Harry Roque, tied to the country’s growing offshore gaming scandal, is now a fugitive from justice.

Harry Roque, ex-spokesman for former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, has joined the list of influential people linked to crime-ridden Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

Like others on the list – including ex-Bamban mayor Alice Guo and industry kingpin Huang Zhiyang – Roque has gone into hiding.

The Philippines house of representatives’ quad committee has twice cited Roque for contempt. Now it is calling for his arrest. In a 17 September statement, the committee labelled him a “defiant fugitive from justice”.

Lawyer for criminal enterprise?

Roque was allegedly the “legal head” of the Lucky South 99 POGO in Pampanga, site of suspected crimes including online scams and human trafficking.

Authorities stormed the compound in June, following a tip to the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC). During the raid, they seized cash, jewellery, illegal drugs and video footage of POGO workers suffering abuse inside the facility. They also discovered bank documents belonging to Roque.

At first, the documents did not seem incriminating, said PAOCC representative Winston Casio. Then Alejandro Tengco, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, disclosed that Roque “had pressured Pagcor to grant licences to these scam farms”.

At that point, the paperwork “[took] on a different character”, Casio said.

Evidence against Roque “overwhelming”

Although Roque has dropped out of sight, he continues to communicate through social media. He has slammed the joint committee as a “kangaroo court” that is “power-tripping” in its pursuit of him.

Representative Robert Ace Barbers told the Philippines News Agency that Roque’s evasion only deepens the suspicions about him. He added that the evidence against Roque is “overwhelming”.

“Flight is often an indication of guilt,” Representative Dan Fernandez, chairman of the house committee on public order and safety said via the Philippines News Agency. “There’s an old saying – if you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing.”

Multiple agencies have joined the hunt for Roque, including the Philippines National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration.

Meanwhile, “POGO mayor” Alice Guo, who fled the country in July, was arrested on 4 September in Indonesia and extradited to the Philippines. She faces charges of trafficking, graft, money laundering and tax evasion.

Guo associate Huang Zhiyang, so-called “boss of all bosses” of the offshore industry, is still on the run and is reportedly in Hong Kong. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has pledged to involve Interpol to bring him back to the Philippines.

As for Roque, says Barbers, the onetime presidential mouthpiece “can run, but he cannot hide”.

Disturbingly, Philippine police are now looking at reports of four “mass graves” near the Lucky South POGO.

—

菲律宾离岸博彩丑闻另一名嫌疑人被追捕

菲律宾前政府官员哈里·洛克 (Harry Roque) 因涉嫌卷入该国愈演愈烈的离岸博彩丑闻，目前是一名逃犯。

PNP investigating 24 ex-police chiefs on info that one could have helped Guo escape

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday it was investigating 24 of its former chiefs in light of the allegation that one of them could have possibly helped dismissed Mayor Alice Guo and her group escape.

In a Tuesday Senate hearing on gambling hubs, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Senior Vice President Raul Villanueva said there was information from the intelligence community about a certain former PNP chief who was possibly also on the take from Guo.

“We are investigating 24 of our former chief PNP. We are not happy with what he said. Since he is under oath, you have to tell us kasi it affects the whole organization. And remember it’s not the whole organization na PNP alone. It’s peace and order apektado sa sinabi niya,” Marbil said during the Senate hearing on the PNP’s 2025 budget.

He explained that they have to investigate everybody unless Villanueva names the said former official.

Marbil added that they have not yet received a report from Villanueva, a retired army general.

“We are making a letter addressed to General Raul Villanueva to name the names kung sino talaga. Or else you have to clarify sa Senado na wala talaga. Kasi he’s under oath, he has to tell us sino ang pangalan,” Marbil said.

Sen. Robin Padilla said it was important to clarify the matter because it affects the police.

‘Kilala mo ba ako?’ Bato grills Alice Guo after ‘former chief PNP’ mentioned at Senate hearing

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said he has not yet talked to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr about the issue.

“Hindi ko alam ‘yang about the chief PNP (I don’t know about that chief PNP). Let the PNP chief answer this one about this issue,” Abalos said pertaining to the current PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil.

“I think they are doing something about this,” he added.

Villanueva earlier clarified that the information was not yet verified.

“May pinag-uusapan sa border immigration, hindi ko lang alam ang exact amount [ng bribe], including PNP official [na involved]. Hindi ko lang ma-confirm,” he said during the Tuesday hearing.

Citing ‘intel’, Pagcor exec says a former PNP chief may have helped Alice Guo escape

—

24 ex-PNP chiefs under investigation over Alice Guo’s escape – Marbil

Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Philippine National Police, speaks to the members of the media in a Press Conference at Royal Star Aviation Hangar, Pasay City on Friday, September 6, 2024. PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines — Police chief Rommel Marbil said they are presently investigating all 24 former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs to determine if they are involved in Alice Guo’s escape from Philippine jurisdiction.

During a Senate sub-panel on finance hearing on Thursday, Sen. Robin Padilla inquired whether the identity of the former top cop who allegedly received bribes to assist Guo and her companions, Shiela and Wesley Guo, in fleeing the country despite an immigration lookout bulletin had been established.

The matter was first revealed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Senior Vice President Raul Villanueva in a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

“Wala pa po kaming report coming from Gen. Raul Villanueva doon sa sinabi niya. But we are investigating 24 of our former chief PNP kung involved po sila,” said Marbil.

(We have no report coming from Gen. Raul Villaueva regarding what he said, but we are investigating 24 of our former chief PNP to know if they are involved.)

“We are not happy with what he said,” he emphasized.

Marbil then proceeded to remind Villanueva that he is under oath and that he is obliged to tell the whole truth.

“And remember it’s not the whole organization na PNP alone. It’s peace and order ang naapekto doon sa sinabi niya. Just imagine a former chief PNP doesn’t mean we allow it to the lowest mammal na tumatanggap po,” said Marbil.

(And remember, it’s not the whole organization of PNP alone. It’s peace and order being affected by what he said. Just imagine a former PNP chief doesn’t mean we allow it to the lowest mammal receiving bribes.)

According to Marbil, they would write a letter addressed to Villanueva, specifically asking him to name the ex-top cop allegedly involved in Guo’s escape.

Villanueva’s exposé earlier received the criticism of former PNP chief Bato dela Rosa who noted that the Pagcor official was wrong for disclosing the reports they received even without concrete evidence.

“You cannot pin down anybody through intelligence reports because intel reports have no evidentiary value and cannot stand in court. So dapat bago nila nilabas yun, kinonfirm muna. Vinalidate nang husto at once validated — dapat alamin kung sino talaga ‘yun at isabi ang pangalan,” dela Rosa told reporters previously.

(So before this information got disclosed, I hope they confirmed it first. They should have validated it thoroughly and once validated, they should have checked and disclosed the name.)

Dela Rosa already cleared his name, veering away from the issue.

Guo was the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor who is now facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking at the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

—

菲律宾国家警察局正在调查 24 名前警察局长，其中一人可能曾帮助郭华萍逃跑

菲律宾国家警察局（PNP）周四表示，正在对 24 名前警察局长进行调查，因为有指控称其中一人可能帮助被解职的菲律宾市长 Alice Guo 及其团队越狱。

Shiela Guo tells of boat transfer amid rough sea

Shiela Guo, one of the companions of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, said they transferred from a small boat to a bigger vessel in the middle of a rough sea as they left the country in July.

At the continuation of the Senate Committee on Women’s investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), Shiela said she, Alice, and Wesley Guo climbed a ladder from the larger ship despite the bumpy conditions.

Asked by panel chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros if the sea was “maalon” or choppy, Shiela said, “Medyo po.”

(It was a bit.)

“‘Pag nahulog, dire-diretso sa tubig?” Senate Presiden Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada asked.

(If you fell, it would have been straight into the sea?)

“Opo,” Shiela said with a small chuckle.

At one of the previous Senate hearings, Alice said that she, Wesley, and Shiela left the country by sea.

She said that they climbed aboard a yacht docked at a port in Metro Manila and left at around 10 p.m. sometime in July.

After traveling on the yacht, she said they shifted to a bigger vessel, but added that she doesn’t know the exact location where they made the transfer.

On August 27, Shiela confirmed to the same Senate panel that she and her siblings left the Philippines by riding several boats.

From a small white boat, she said they transferred to a bigger boat which she could can accommodate many people. The second ship appears to be a fishing ship because there were nets on it, according to her.

After that, Shiela said they transferred again to a smaller boat which carried them to Malaysia.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier said it would revise its pre-departure inspection regulations on private boats amid the claim of Alice Guo that they left the Philippines via three boat transfers and one of the vessels used was a yacht.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also said it was looking for the yacht the Guos allegedly used.

—

Shiela Guo 讲述在波涛汹涌的大海中转船的经历

被解职的巴姆班·塔拉克市市长艾丽斯·郭的同伴之一希拉·郭说，他们于 7 月离开该国时，在波涛汹涌的大海中从一艘小船换乘到了一艘大船。

在参议院妇女事务委员会对菲律宾离岸博彩运营商（POGO）进行持续调查时，希拉表示，尽管路途颠簸，她、艾丽斯和韦斯利·郭还是爬了梯子。

当小组主席里萨·洪蒂维罗斯参议员问到海面是否“波涛汹涌”时，希拉回答说“Medyo po”。（有一点。）

Ex-police chief allegedly took bribe to help Alice Guo, siblings flee Philippines

MANILA: A former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief allegedly received a bribe to help dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her siblings escape the country despite being under an immigration lookout bulletin.

This information was revealed during the Senate panel on women’s ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) on Tuesday (Sept 17), when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked law enforcement officials if intelligence reports indicated that a high-ranking official received a P200 million bribe to facilitate the escape.

Hontiveros previously revealed that Guo and her siblings gave the money to exit the country without being detected by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and other law enforcement agencies.

Shiela Guo, who was earlier identified as Alice’s sister, said that she was unaware of the money supposedly used to evade arrest.

When the senator asked if there are other personalities involved in the alleged bribery from the information gathered by the intelligence community, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) Senior Vice President of Security and Monitoring Cluster Retired General Raul Villanueva said that they gathered information that a former PNP chief allegedly received a bribe.

“Not PNP unit but personalities…I think it was mentioned that [it was] a former chief of PNP,” Villanueva added.

Hontiveros asked Villanueva what kind of assistance the PNP personnel provided to Guo. The Pagcor official said that he can’t confirm the information.

“I don’t know the exact aid supported but it is still not yet confirmed if [the PNP official] gave, was given, or received, or if there were witnesses. That’s what we only heard in the intelligence community. I’m out of the loop lately, I can’t confirm,” Villanueva noted.

Villanueva also said that he does not know the name “except there were some rumours in the intelligence community that [it was] a former chief of PNP.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada proceeded to ask if it was just a gossip to which Villanueva said that the “intelligence community is still verifying.”

—

参议院周二的调查是该参议院对被解职的班班市长郭华萍进行的第 13 次听证会。

周二（2024 年 9 月 17 日），被解职的塔拉克省班班市市长 Alice Guo 再次出席参议院对帕赛市非法菲律宾离岸博彩运营商的调查。Guo 和邦阿西楠省苏阿尔市市长 Liseldo Calugay 否认与 POGO 有任何形式的合作关系和联系。

据称，菲律宾国家警察局（PNP）前局长收受贿赂，帮助被解职的班班、塔拉克市市长艾丽斯·郭及其兄弟姐妹逃离菲律宾，尽管他们正受到移民监视通告的监视。

这一信息是在周二（9 月 17 日）参议院妇女小组对菲律宾非法离岸博彩运营商 (Pogos) 进行调查时披露的，当时参议员里萨·洪蒂维罗斯 (Risa Hontiveros) 询问执法官员，情报报告是否表明一名高级官员收受了 2 亿比索的贿赂以协助其逃跑。

当参议员询问，根据情报界收集到的信息，是否还有其他人物参与了涉嫌贿赂行为时，菲律宾娱乐和博彩公司（Pagcor）安全和监控部门高级副总裁、退役将军劳尔·维拉纽瓦（Raul Villanueva）表示，他们收集到的信息表明，一名前菲律宾国家警察局长涉嫌收受了贿赂。

洪蒂维罗斯询问维拉纽瓦菲律宾国家警察局人员为郭提供了何种帮助。维拉纽瓦表示，他无法证实这一信息。

“我不知道具体援助金额是多少，但目前还无法确认 [菲律宾国家警察局官员] 是否给予、被给予或接受过援助，或者是否有证人。这是我们只在情报界听到的消息。我最近没有消息，无法确认，”维拉纽瓦指出。

维拉纽瓦还表示，他不知道这个名字，“只是情报界有传言说，他是菲律宾国家警察局前局长。”

参议院临时议长 Jinggoy Estrada 继续询问这是否只是谣言，Villanueva 表示“情报界仍在核实。”

—

Ex-PNP chief allegedly bribed to help Alice Guo escape —PAGCOR exec

A former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief allegedly helped dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo leave the country.

That’s according to PAGCOR official Raul Villanueva, a retired general and former commander at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), as he answered a question from Senator Risa Hontiveros during a Senate probe on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

Hontiveros asked Villanueva about the possibility of government officials who may have helped Guo escape in exchange for a huge sum.

“May pinag-uusapan na ‘yung sa border immigration, di ko lang alam ‘yung exact amount, including PNP official pero hindi ko pa din confirmed ‘yun,” Villanueva said.

(There were talks that in the border immigration, I don’t know the exact amount, a PNP official was included but that is not yet confirmed.)

Hontiveros then asked, “alin pong PNP units ang binabanggit sa usapan (which PNP units were involved)?”

“Hindi PNP po unit Ma’am eh (Not a PNP unit), but personalities… I think it was mentioned, a former chief PNP,” said Villanueva.

When asked who it was, the PAGCOR official said “I don’t know, Ma’am.”

According to Villanueva, the alleged former PNP chief is rumored to be part of Guo’s “monthly payroll” but this is still under verification.

“Ang parang usapan dun ma’am parang ‘yung parang nasa payroll, ‘yung monthly payroll ever since (They said that person is in the monthly payroll ever since),” Villanueva said.

“Hindi ko din ma-ascertain ‘yan, Ma’am, kung kanino galing ‘yung report, Ma’am (I cannot ascertain where the report came). It’s just parang rumors lang within the intelligence community. I think they are validating it right now. I even went to NICA last week, but there’s no information about it, Ma’am,” Villanueva added.

At the latter part of the hearing, Guo categorically denied that there was a “payroll” for police officers.

“Wala pong ganun pong nangyayari (There’s nothing like that happening.),” the former mayor said.

Hontiveros expressed dismay over the information on Guo’s monthly payroll.

“It gets worse and worse. Kanina bad enough ‘yung magbayad di umano ng 100 milyong pisong suhol para makatakas ang isang Guo Hua Ping. Even worse kung historically may monthly payroll,” Hontiveros said.

(It was bad enough that they paid P100 million bribe to let Guo Hua Ping escape. Even worse was if there’s a monthly payroll.)

Hontiveros also asked Villanueva about any information on PNP acting police commander of Northern Luzon Pol. Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. on the alleged bribery.

According to Villanueva, Caramat is “part of the information” but he is not sure of the reports.

“I’m not really sure kung ‘yun ang narinig ko. He is part of the information. Hindi ko masyadong sigurado. Wala naman kaming formal communication with most of the intelligence officers. One or two lang ang bumanggit sa akin,” he said.

“I’m not really sure if that was what I heard. He is part of the information. I am not sure. I have no formal communication with most of the intelligence officers. I have only talked with one or two.)

“Yung information…parang may sinabi lang sila sa CIDG pero walang specific name na General Caramat, Ma’am,” he added.

“They mentioned someone in the CIDG but General Caramat was not specifically named.)

Caramat, for his part, said he has no information on the supposed involvement of a former PNP chief in Guo’s escape.

“I haven’t got any information regarding that matter,” he said.

For its part, the PNP representative said that they have not received any report yet on bribery on their officers.

“So far po, wala po kaming report with regards po kung may mga nasuhulan na PNP personnel. But despite of that po ay ‘yung aming intelligence community ay tuloy tuloy po ang kanilang pag-coordinate sa ibang agencies para malaman kung may mga PNP personnel na involved din. We will file the necessary case po kung may mga evidence po kaming makukuha,” PNP Deputy Director for Administration Pol. Brig. Gen. Raul Tacaca said.

(So far, we have not received reports if PNP personnel were bribed. Despite of that, our intelligence community continues to coordinate with other agencies if PNP personnel were involved. We will file the necessary case once we gather enough evidence.)

Villanueva also said that some high-ranking immigration official may have also been involved, according to intel report.

“May mga usap-usapan within intelligence community, pero wala pa pong confirmation kung may witnesses na meron talaga nabigyan. Pero ‘yun po ang usap-sapan (There were talks within the intelligence community but there is no confirmation if there are witnesses to the supposed bribery). They’re still validating it,” he said.

BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said they have received intelligence information on the alleged P200 million bribe but they are still validating reports on the person who received it.

The National Bureau of Investigation said they are also looking at all angles on the alleged bribery, but they cannot comment yet on the investigation and intelligence gathering that is being conducted.

The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency also refused to give specific progress on their investigation, but assured the Senate panel that they will give reports on any development.

BI nabs 5 Chinese fugitives

BICUTAN, Taguig–The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of four Chinese nationals wanted by authorities in Beijing for various crimes.

In a statement, BI Officer-in-Charge Joel Anthony Viado identified those arrested as Wei Hanbing, 33; Wang Bo, 32; Wang Zhaoshan, 37; and Guo Dong, 26.

Viado said operatives from the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) arrested the aliens in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City last Aug. 31 following their arrest by elements of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Citing information from the Chinese government, Viado bared that Wei Hanbing is wanted for concealment of crime related to income while Wang Bo and Wang Zhaoshan are wanted for fraud. Guo Dong is being sought for engaging in illegal business.

It was learned that the fugitives were among the foreign nationals arrested by the police during a raid of a suspected crypto currency investment and love scam hub in Parañaque City last Aug. 22.

The raided establishment was allegedly operating under the guise of a licensed offshore gaming operator to conceal its nefarious activities.

Meanwhile, the BI also reported the arrest of two other fugitives in separate operations by the FSU.

BI FSU Chief Rendel Ryan Sy shared the arrest of Wu Hsih Hsu, a 53-year-old Taiwanese man, last September 5 at the BI’s head office in Intramuros.

Wu was tagged as an undesirable alien after the BI received information from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines that he faces a Warrant of Arrest for Rape filed before a Taiwan court in 2005. He was also found to be overstaying for over 20 years.

Last September 8, FSU agents also arrested Chinese national Zhang Xi, 38, along Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City.

Zhang is wanted by the Chinese government and the Interpol. Two warrants of arrest was issued against him by the Cyber Police Branch of Daqing Municipal Public Security Bureau in 2023 for Illegal Control of Computer Information Systems in Violation of the Article 285 of China’s Criminal Law.

He was said to head an online criminal group that has designed a computer virus that obtained personal information of its victims for use in fraud-related activities.

The syndicate was said to have illegally hacked and remotely controlled around 4,200 computers in China amounting to over CNY 7 Million worth of ill-gotten profits since 2023.

Viado said all 6 aliens remain in the BI’s holding facility in Taguig pending their eventual deportation.

—

比库坦，塔吉格——移民局（BI）宣布逮捕了四名因多项罪行而被中国通缉的中国公民。

移民局负责人乔尔安东尼维亚多 (Joel Anthony Viado) 在一份声明中确认，被捕人员分别为魏汉兵 (33 岁)、王博 (32 岁)、王兆山 (37 岁) 和郭栋 (26 岁)。

维亚多表示，移民局逃犯搜查组 (FSU) 的特工于去年 8 月 31 日在塔吉格市巴贡迪瓦营地逮捕了这些外国人，此前他们被国家首都区警察局 (NCRPO) 的人员逮捕。

维亚多援引中国政府消息称，魏汉兵因涉嫌隐瞒收入罪被通缉，王博和王兆山因涉嫌诈骗被通缉，郭栋因从事非法经营被通缉。

据了解，这些逃犯是警方去年 8 月 22 日在突袭帕拉纳克市一处涉嫌加密货币投资和爱情诈骗中心时逮捕的外国人之一。

据称，被突击搜查的机构假借持有执照的离岸博彩运营商的名义进行经营，以掩盖其邪恶活动。

与此同时，移民局还报告称，FSU 在单独的行动中逮捕了另外两名逃犯。

移民局海外安全部门负责人 Rendel Ryan Sy 透露，9 月 5 日，移民局在马尼拉城内市移民局总部逮捕了 53 岁台湾男子 Wu Hsih Hsu。

Wu Hsih Hsu因涉嫌强奸罪于 2005 年在台湾法院被提起逮捕，此后移民局从驻菲律宾台北经济文化办事处 (TECO) 得到情报，将Wu Hsih Hsu列为不受欢迎外国人。同时，Wu Hsih Hsu还被发现逾期居留超过 20 年。

去年9月8日，FSU特工还在帕拉纳克市迪奥斯达多马卡帕加尔大道逮捕了38岁的中国公民张曦。

张受到中国政府和国际刑警组织的通缉。大庆市公安局网络警察分局于2023年两次对他发出逮捕令，罪名是非法控制计算机信息系统，违反了《中国刑法》第285条。

据称，他是一个网络犯罪集团的头目，该集团设计了一种计算机病毒，可以获取受害者的个人信息，用于与欺诈有关的活动。

据称，该集团自 2023 年以来非法入侵并远程控制了中国约 4,200 台计算机，获取了价值超过 700 万元人民币的不义之财。

维亚多表示，所有 6 名外国人仍被关押在塔吉格移民局的拘留所，等待最终被驱逐出境。

—

4 Chinese tagged in scam hub nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Four Chinese were arrested recently during a raid on a suspected cryptocurrency investment and love scam hub in Parañaque City.

The facility reportedly posed as a licensed Philippine offshore gaming operator to conceal its illegal activities.

Wei Hanbing, 33; Wang Bo, 32; Wang Zhaoshan, 37, and Guo Dong, 26 were detained on Aug. 31 at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.

Authorities have turned them over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Meanwhile, Zhang Xi, 38, who is wanted by the Chinese government and the Interpol, was apprehended on Sept. 8 in Parañaque, according to BI fugitive search unit chief Rendel Ryan Sy.

Zhang allegedly led an online criminal ring that designed a computer virus to remotely control around 4,200 computers in China, which gained over seven million yuan in ill-gotten profits since 2023.

In another operation, Taiwanese Wu Hsih Hsu, 53, was arrested by the BI on Sept. 5.

A warrant of arrest for rape was issued against Wu in 2005 by a court in Taiwan, the BI said, citing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila.

Wu overstayed in the Philippines for over 20 years, according to the BI.

DOJ probing P1-billion bribe allegedly offered by Alice Guo

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating claims that dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo offered a P1-billion bribe to a Filipino-Chinese trader to help resolve her legal troubles.

He issued the remark after former senator Panfilo Lacson claimed his friend – who had contacts within the circle of the First Family – was approached by Guo before she exited the country.

Lacson said his friend did not help Guo with her request.

“We are waiting for the result of the investigations being done on her background. We are already pursuing what senator Lacson said. We’re aware that there’s more to it than meets the eye,” Remulla said, emphasizing that Guo is not an “ordinary” felon and is “extremely talented.”

“Her game runs deep. Her game is very sophisticated,” he added.

The DOJ chief believes a huge amount of money, possibly amounting to billions of pesos, is being circulated to secure the former mayor.

—

司法部正在调查 Alice Guo（郭华萍） 涉嫌行贿 10 亿比索

菲律宾马尼拉——司法部长赫苏斯·克里斯宾·雷穆拉表示，司法部正在调查被解职的班班市市长艾丽斯·郭向一名菲律宾裔华人商人提供 10 亿比索贿赂以帮助解决她的法律纠纷的指控。

此前，前参议员潘菲洛·拉克森 (Panfilo Lacson) 声称，他的朋友在出境前曾与郭接触过，而他的这位朋友与第一家庭圈子里有联系。

拉克森说，他的朋友并没有帮助郭实现她的请求。

“我们正在等待对她的背景调查结果。我们已经开始追查拉克森参议员所说的内容。我们知道事情远比表面上看起来的要复杂得多，”雷穆拉说，并强调郭不是“普通”重罪犯，而且“才华横溢”。

“她玩得非常老练，”他补充道。

司法部负责人认为，为保护这位前市长，有人动用了巨额资金，可能高达数十亿比索。

DOJ to file human trafficking raps vs Alice Guo, says PAOCC

Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors have approved the filing of charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and several others for qualified human trafficking, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Friday.

“Our task group will file the information in Capas, Tarlac next week,” said PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said on X (formerly Twitter).

In a press conference, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said that under the law, individuals who organize an establishment engaged in human trafficking may be held accountable for human trafficking.

“So ‘yung depensa ng kampo ni Alice Guo at ng iba pang mga respondent na hindi naman sila ‘yung nag-recruit, hindi sila ‘yung nanakit, hindi sila nag-torture o kung anu-ano man ng biktima ng human trafficking, hindi uubra ‘yan sa bagong batas natin,” Ty said.

(The defense of Alice Guo’s camp and other respondents is that they didn’t recruit, didn’t harm, didn’t torture, or commit any other human trafficking offenses against the victims, this won’t fly under our new law.)

“Basta mapakita na may kinalaman ka sa pagtayo o pag-organize ng isang kumpanya na nadawit sa human trafficking, maaari kang makasuhan ng human trafficking,” he added.

(As long as it is shown that you have a connection to the establishment or organization of a company involved in human trafficking, you can be charged with human trafficking.)

Aside from Guo, Ty said the DOJ will also file charges against Zhang Ruijin, Lin Baoying, and Huang Zhiyang, whom the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) had identified as the so-called boss of all bosses of illegal POGOs.

Also included was former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, as well as other incorporators, according to Ty.

For his part, Casio said that the trafficking in persons would not have happened if the “foreign financiers” and “partners” of Guo did not come into the picture.

“The crimes that are alleged to have been committed by Alice Guo [would] not have happened if these people did not enable her through their finances. So very important na makasuhan din sila,” Casio said.

Meanwhile, Ty declined to name all respondents, saying this may prompt them to run from the law.

“Hindi muna namin sasabihin lahat dahil may risk, ‘no, baka may flight risk kung malaman nila na kasama sila sa mga nakasuhan at hindi pa sila kasama sa ILBO na in-issue ni [Justice] Secretary [Jesus Crispin] Remulla sa BI,” Ty said.

(We won’t reveal everything yet because there’s a risk, in case they find out they’re included in the charges and haven’t been listed in the ILBO issued by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to the BI.)

Meanwhile, Cunanan’s lawyer Je Clerigo said his client’s camp has yet to receive a copy of the DOJ resolution on the matter.

“Our comment is, this is totally unexpected because, if you read the Complaint in all of the cases in the DOJ, there is absolutely no evidence that Dennis is a conspirator in any conspiracy,” Clerigo said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Guo’s camp but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

PAOCC and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) filed the complaint against Guo in June. It was submitted for resolution on August 6.

Guo later filed a motion to reopen the investigation and admit her counter-affidavit, which her camp filed on August 16 and then refiled on September 6.

The counter affidavit was notarized on August 14 in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan. The lawyer who notarized it, however, has admitted to notarizing the document even though Guo did not personally swear before him.

According to Ty, the prosecutors did not give mind to the counter affidavit submitted by Guo.

“Alam naman natin kung bakit, ano? Dahil lumalabas talaga na hindi siya humarap sa notaryo publiko. At bukod doon ‘no, kasi hindi naman talaga general rule na puwede sa notaryong publiko eh,” Ty said.

(We all know why, right? It’s because she really didn’t show up in front of a notary public. And aside from that, it’s not a general rule that it can be done with a notary public anyway.)

Ty also said that the complaint could have been resolved sooner but there were many “delaying tactics,” especially on the part of Guo’s lawyers.

“Tuwing mga preliminary investigation, ‘yung mga abugado niya humihiling ng extension o ng resetting dahil hindi daw maka-appear si Alice Guo dahil natatakot o dahil gusto niya bantayan ‘yung kanyang mental health,” he said.

Guo supposedly left the country on July 18. The DOJ’s preliminary probe was held on July 5, July 22, and August 6.

Meanwhile, Ty said this will be the template for future cases.

“Tingin ko sa mga susunod na araw kung madami pa tayong mga kasong ifa-file, itong ginawa ng team sa Bamban, ‘no, sa pamumuno ni Chief Benjie, ito magiging template sa mga future cases,” Ty said.

(I think that in the coming days, if we have more cases to file, the work done by the team in Bamban, under the leadership of Chief Benjie, will serve as a template for future cases.)

Aside from this, Guo is also facing a graft case before a Tarlac court and a money laundering complaint before the DOJ.

The graft case was transferred to a Valenzuela court earlier.

Guo was arrested in Indonesia on September 4 and was brought back to the Philippines on September 6.

In a separate Senate investigation last August 27, Guo’s supposed sister, Shiela Guo, told the senators that they left the Philippines by riding several boats.

Alice Guo confirmed this during Monday’s Senate hearing, saying they left the Philippines through boats, one of which was a yacht.

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DOJ to file qualified trafficking charges vs Alice Guo, accomplices

Citing sufficient evidence found in their preliminary investigation, state prosecutors will file next week qualified trafficking in persons charges versus disgraced former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty announced this development Friday in a press conference with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio and fiscal Benjamin Samson.

“The preliminary investigation ruled that there’s prima facie evidence for qualified human trafficking in persons against Mayor Guo. The information was established and we will file this information before the court next week,” Ty said.

“We thank the prosecution panel who worked hard during the preliminary investigation. This case is very complicated. As you notice, the resolution is extremely thick and it has so many details,” the DOJ official added.

Ty explained that Guo’s culpability was determined based on a provision under the ‘Expanded Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012,’ which amended Republic Act 9208, stipulating that those who organized or directed persons to commit this criminal offense are just as liable.

“If it was established that you organized a business where acts of human trafficking were committed, you could be charged (of the crime), and that’s what happened to Mayor Alice Guo and her co-respondents,” he said.

Guo was linked to several businesses in Bamban, Tarlac that allegedly hosted illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). These firms reportedly recruited workers, who were tasked to scam individuals, among other organized criminal activities.

Apart from Guo, the DOJ said it will file similar cases versus former Technology Resource Center chief Dennis Cunanan and other Chinese incorporators, including Huang Zhiyang—the alleged ‘boss of all POGO bosses’ in the Philippines.

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总统反有组织犯罪委员会（PAOCC）周五表示，司法部（DOJ）检察官已批准对被解职的 Bamban、Tarlac 市长 Alice Guo（郭华萍） 和其他数人提起人口贩卖指控。

除了郭之外，司法部还将对张瑞金、林宝英和黄志阳提出指控，总统反有组织犯罪委员会（PAOCC）已将黄志阳认定为所有非法离岸博彩公司老板的所谓“老大”。