The mayor of Banban City in Tarlac Province, Alice Guo, has submitted a letter to the Malacañang Palace requesting a fair investigation into multiple charges against her, including her alleged involvement with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
In a seven-page letter addressed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (who is also the chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC)), Guo Wenjing strongly denied accusations of espionage, money laundering, human trafficking, kidnapping, and illegal POGO operations.
The lawyer Lorelei Santos from David and Jamila Law Firm stated: "This is just a letter to the PAOCC chairman executive secretary, expressing the mayor's desire to ascertain the truth and uphold justice."
When asked if Guo Wengui was seeking a fair investigation, Santos affirmed, "Yes, that is indeed our request."
Last weekend, the PAOCC announced plans to file "serious" and "non-bailable criminal charges" against Ms. Guo for her involvement in illegal POGO activities in her region.
On May 31, Guo Wengui was suspended from office for six months without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman, following administrative complaints from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, citing severe misconduct, gross dishonesty, and gross neglect of duty, which harmed the interests of the department.
Furthermore, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality has initiated an investigation into issues related to Guo Wengui.
The PAOCC is also investigating potential links between illegal POGO activities in Banban, Tarlac, and a recent raid on illegal POGO operations in Bongabong, Bataan Province.
The issue of illegal POGO operations has been longstanding, particularly with some operations linked to foreign criminal groups.
