The mayor of Bamban, Alice Guo, is facing accusations of being a Chinese asset in the midst of a territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. President Ferdinand Marcos has expressed concerns about her citizenship, indicating that an investigation is underway to uncover more information about her background. Guo’s origins and allegiances have come into question after law enforcement discovered that a Pogo in Bamban was actually a front for a scam center, with over 200 Chinese nationals posing as “online lovers.” The center was involved in a “pig butchering” scam, where scammers manipulated victims into romantic relationships to steal from them. Guo’s connection to the site, as the owner of half the land where it was located, has raised suspicions about her involvement in the scam operation.
Guo was brought before the Senate for a hearing to address the allegations against her, where she claimed to have sold the land before becoming mayor and sold off other assets registered in her name. However, concerns were raised about her status, as she only registered as a voter in Bamban one year before running for mayor and only registered her birth certificate with local authorities at the age of 17. She provided limited details about her background, stating that she was born in a house and raised in a family compound where they raised pigs. Senators accused her of giving unclear answers about her background, leading to speculation that she may be a Chinese asset. Despite the accusations, Guo denied being involved with Pogos and claimed she was not protecting them.
The territorial disputes between China and the Philippines have escalated in recent years, with clashes between Chinese Coast Guards and Filipino fishermen. China’s attempts to enforce control over waters around the Philippines have led to tensions, including near clashes between the two coast guards near the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippines formally protested China’s actions at the Scarborough Shoal, resulting in a United Nations-backed tribunal ruling against China’s claims on “historical grounds” in 2016. However, China rejected the arbitration and its outcome, further fueling the disagreements between the two countries. The situation remains unresolved, with both parties continuing to assert their conflicting claims.
The accusations against Guo have further strained the relations between China and the Philippines, as suspicions of her being a Chinese asset add another layer of complexity to the existing territorial disputes. The discovery of the scam center in Bamban has highlighted the involvement of Chinese nationals in illegal activities, raising concerns about their presence in the Philippines. Guo’s connection to the land where the scam center was located has drawn attention to her background and raised questions about her involvement in the operation. The ongoing investigation into Guo’s citizenship and allegiances will likely have implications for the relationship between China and the Philippines, as both countries navigate the challenges of the territorial disputes in the region. The outcome of the investigation and the resolution of the accusations against Guo could have significant implications for the future of the political landscape in the Philippines and the ongoing conflicts with China.
