SENATOR Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, wants to summon Bamban, Tarlac mayor, Alice Leal Guo, for a grilling over “damning evidence” pointing to Guo’s alleged involvement in the illegal operation of online gambling (POGO) in her backyard that resulted to allegations of human trafficking and serious illegal detention (kidnapping).
Gatchalian said documents obtained by his office after a government raid at the premises of Zun Yuan Technology (previously Hongsheng Gaming Technology) last March 13, 2024, showed a Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) resolution approving the operation of Hongsheng in September 2020. The application for the gaming permit was sought by Guo in her capacity then as a “private citizen.”
Guo became Bamban’s first elected female mayor during the May 2022 elections.
Hongsheng was previously raided by the government in February 2023 and changed its name to Zun Yuan Technology when it was again raided last March 13 amidst complaints of human trafficking and serious illegal detention.
Gatchalian said one of the vehicles found inside the compound of Zun Yuan during the March 13 raid, a Ford Expedition EL (CAT 6574), was found registered under Guo’s name.
The local electric cooperative in Bamban (TARELCO II), also sent its billing in Guo’s name to Zun Yuan in the amount of P15.11 million for the billing period covering September 2023 to February 2024.
“These are damning pieces of evidence that Mayor Guo might be involved in the operation of this POGO facility that is now implicated in various criminal activities. The DILG should look closely into the matter,” Gatchalian said.
A former mayor himself (Valenzuela City), Gatchalian emphasized that local executives should be working to prevent criminalities in their respective jurisdiction “and should not involve themselves in dubious businesses such as the POGOs.”
Gatchalian has been a staunch advocate in ending the operation of POGOs in the country, citing its deleterious impact in the country’s peace and order and the corruption that comes with it that reaches down to the level of LGUs.
Gatchalian has a long-standing resolution, Senate Resolution 679, filed on July 17, 2023, calling for a probe on all POGO operations in the country and their accredited service providers for involvement in crimes and as a haven for foreign fugitives.