“Victim” Alice Guo wants to name POGO as the “main culprit”

September 25, 2024 | 0:00 am

MANILA, Philippines – Fired Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who is linked to illegal gambling activities in the Philippines and POGO-related crimes, claims she is a victim rather than a mastermind.

And she is prepared to name the “main culprits” in POGO’s operations in a closed session.

During yesterday’s continuation of the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children and Family Affairs chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito asked Guo if she was willing to reveal the identities of the other big bosses in the POGOs.

“We will hold a closed session before we conclude. You are tired – 12 hours of (hearing in) Congress, here (in the Senate) for a few hours. Maybe you already feel sorry for yourself, but we should also feel sorry for the victims of POGOs. Are you a mastermind and are you ready to talk about who is behind these operations?” Ejercito Guo asked.

Wearing a black face mask, Guo replied: “I am not a mastermind. I am more of a victim.”

Ejercito pressed further: “So are you a victim, a puppet or are you being used by an international crime syndicate?”

Guo replied: “I was not used. If I ever helped, it was because I am a helpful person. If there is anything, it is that. But I have nothing to do with the activities that were carried out or the allegations.”

Ejercito continued, “Are you guilty or the most guilty, or do you think there are others who are even more guilty?”

“I am not guilty,” Guo insisted. “I think the committee already knows during the investigation, especially under the chairmanship of our chairwoman, who is behind everything.”

Ejercito reminded Guo that “she still has the opportunity to say something. We also feel sorry for the victims of the POGOs. In the closed session, we cannot make it public, we understand that you are afraid. We understand it. To reduce your guilt, are you willing to say who bears the most blame?”

Guo replied, “Yes, Po.”

“I expect Miss Alice Guo to reveal who is behind the international crime syndicate. We will be responsible for her safety,” Ejercito noted.

The closed session lasted into the night.

Paid for silence

POGO executives were allegedly paid by Guo to keep quiet about their involvement, Zun Yuan Technology treasurer “Alex” revealed after reporting to the NBI on Sunday.

Alex turned himself in along with Zun Yuan’s company secretary after raiding two POGO companies in Bamban.

The couple claimed that their real business was buying and selling cars, but in 2023, they were allegedly approached by Guo’s associates and offered P20,000 and a monthly dividend in return for identifying themselves as founders of the company POGO.

Following the POGO raid, Alex and other officials were summoned by the NBI, the House of Representatives and the Senate in May.

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

Alex also revealed that they were given cash and told to go into hiding as the Senate hearing drew increasing attention to Guo.

“We were given money to move,” he said, adding that he received 500,000 pesos. He claimed the money came from Jeremy Santos, an associate of Guo. — Mark Ernest Villez