Investigating Mayor Alice Guo
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos announced on Monday that he has ordered an investigation into Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, which may lead to the revocation of her authority over the local police. This decision follows troubling findings related to illegal activities in the municipality.
National Police Commission’s Role
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has been instructed to conduct the investigation. Abalos stated, “I instructed NAPOLCOM to initiate proceedings for the withdrawal of the mayor’s deputization.” He further explained that if sufficient grounds are found, the mayor’s deputization will be withdrawn, revoking her control and supervision over the local police.
Recommendation for Suspension
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently recommended to the Ombudsman the preventive suspension of Mayor Guo. “Based on the report, there are troubling findings of serious illegal acts which may have severe legal implications,” Abalos said. The preventive suspension aims to prevent Guo from influencing ongoing investigations.
Task Force Investigation
A task force was created by the DILG on April 5 to investigate Guo’s alleged links to illegal activities involving the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban. Headed by Atty. Benjamin Zabala of DILG’s Internal Audit Service, the task force submitted its findings to the Ombudsman last Friday.
Presidential Insight
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. confirmed that Mayor Guo had been under investigation for some time. During an ambush interview in Cagayan de Oro City, he stated, “We’ve been investigating her for a long time; that’s why she was caught.” Marcos mentioned that the investigation intensified following a raid in Bamban, where documents related to the alleged illegal activities were found.
Senate Investigation
On May 7, the Senate panel on women, children, family relations, and gender equality launched an investigation into a raided POGO hub in Bamban. The hub was allegedly involved in surveillance activities and hacking of several government websites. Mayor Guo was questioned about her connections to the operations of the scam hub, which she denied.
Conclusion: Ensuring Accountability
The investigation into Mayor Alice Guo underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within local governance. The DILG’s proactive steps, including recommending preventive suspension and involving NAPOLCOM in the investigation, reflect the seriousness of the allegations and the importance of a thorough inquiry.