Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo has been receiving death threats, communicated to her through her family and close associates, her lawyer revealed on Friday.
Attorney Stephen David, Guo’s legal counsel, shared in a phone interview that the threats were not directly received by Guo due to her limited interactions at the time. “The threats came through friends and family. She didn’t get them personally because her circle was small then,” David explained.
These threats were passed on by her close friends and associates, who relayed the information to her.
In a video posted on the Facebook account of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Guo was heard asking for help, saying, “Sec, help me. I have received death threats.”
David stated that the threats were likely connected to the ongoing investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), with the intent to silence Guo to halt the probe.
Earlier, Secretary Abalos revealed that Guo fled the Philippines due to fear for her safety. Senator Risa Hontiveros also mentioned that Guo left the country in July, despite being under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order.
Guo was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City on Wednesday and returned to the Philippines early Friday.