The Philippines has been caught in a vortex of controversy after senior officials were seen posing for photos with Alice Guo, the former mayor of a small town accused of spying for China. The photos showed Guo giving a peace sign and smiling with the country’s interior minister and the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, sparking outrage among Filipinos. The photos were reportedly taken just before she boarded a private jet departing from Jakarta, Indonesia, to Manila late Thursday night.
Alice Guo: A web of allegations and controversies
The story of Alice Guo has been the subject of intense scrutiny in the Philippines for months. Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, a small town in Tarlac province, is accused of a variety of crimes, from running illegal scam centers and human trafficking syndicates to defrauding her Filipino citizenship. According to Philippine authorities, while she was in office, she used online casinos, particularly Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), for these illegal activities.
His arrest near Jakarta on Wednesday followed a week-long manhunt by authorities. The case against Guo has brought to light growing concerns over online casinos serving Chinese clients, which have long been suspected of covering up organized crime in the Philippines.
The charges against him are sweeping. He allegedly ran a network that protected illegal online gambling operations and human trafficking gangs. These syndicates are said to have used Pogos as a front, a practice that has become increasingly controversial in the Philippines due to a rise in crime linked to these operations. Guo, who is accused of being a Chinese citizen and forging documents to run for mayor, had previously managed to win public office despite being a political novice, raising further questions about the integrity of the local political system.
Diplomatic and domestic fallout
Guo’s case comes against the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, particularly over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. As a result, his arrest and subsequent crackdown by Filipino authorities has taken on even more significance. Many see the way Guo is being treated as symbolic of broader issues going on in the country, including concerns over Chinese influence and infiltration.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, who personally escorted Guo out of Jakarta, found herself at the center of controversy when a photo of her smiling next to Guo was widely circulated online. In the photo, Guo appears calm and happy, giving a peace sign, while Abalos and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil stand next to her. This sparked a flurry of criticism, with many Filipinos questioning why a high-profile suspect was treated so casually.
Abalos explained in her defense that the photo was taken for “documentation purposes” and that she was not aware of Guo’s posture at the time. “She requested to speak to me and the [National Police] chief because she was receiving death threats. I told her she had nothing to fear because the police would protect her,” Abalos said during a press conference in Manila. “We wanted to document it so that everything would be clear. I couldn’t see what she was doing because I was looking at the camera,” he added.
Guo, who was also present at the press conference, reiterated Abalos’ explanation and said she felt unsafe and needed their protection. “I asked for their help. I was also happy that I saw them. I feel safe,” she said, wearing an orange police detention shirt, a stark departure from her usual attire at the Jakarta airport.
Public outrage and social media reaction
The reaction on social media was swift and scathing. Filipinos from all walks of life took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage. “We want answers, not a photoshoot. Fake Filipino Alice Guo has a lot of explaining to do,” Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is leading a Parliamentary inquiry into Guo’s case, posted on X. This sentiment was also echoed by several other users, who expressed dismay at what they saw as a miscarriage of justice.
“The Philippine justice system is a circus,” one user commented, while another called it “one of the most disturbing clips in the news right now.” Criticism targeted not only Guo but also the officials involved, suggesting that their actions were symbolic of deeper systemic issues within the government and law enforcement.
The incident has shed light on the handling of high-profile cases in the Philippines, particularly when it comes to allegations involving foreign influence and corruption. Many have expressed concern that the photos are symbolic of a broader failure to address such issues decisively.
Questions over citizenship and political legitimacy
The question of Guo’s citizenship also adds to the mystery. Lawmakers have accused him of forging his Filipino citizenship to qualify.