Philippines Mayor Extradited Over Accusations of Being Chinese Spy and Plans to Run for Re-election
Former Philippines mayor, Alice Guo, who is facing accusations of spying for China, has expressed her intention to run for re-election next year, according to her lawyer. Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is currently held at Pasig City Jail following her extradition from Jakarta, Indonesia in September.
The former mayor of Bamban has been wanted by the Philippine Senate for her failure to appear before a congressional investigation into alleged links to Chinese criminal syndicates and money laundering. Despite the accusations, the 34-year-old, who claims to be a natural-born Filipino citizen, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the claims as “malicious”.
Alice Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, announced on Friday that she plans to formalise her mayoral candidacy on October 8, the final day for filing candidacy. David stated, “Definitely, she will be running for mayor,” indicating Guo’s determination to seek re-election.
David commented that Guo is confident of her chances for victory as she believes there is substantial support for her candidacy. He added, “It would be better if she runs so we can find out if the people still love her, because right now there’s a lot of negative publicity, but many also sympathise.”
The former mayor faces multiple counts of money laundering, with charges filed against her and her associates in August by Philippine authorities. Guo had fled the country in July, purportedly using her Philippine passport to travel to Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, as confirmed by the Philippines’ anti-crime agency.
Guo’s attempt to flee with her alleged siblings was divulged by one of the accomplices, Sheila Guo, who was detained in Indonesia. The former mayor had contested in the 2022 mayoral election in Bamban, an agricultural town near the capital, as a Filipino citizen.
The Philippine Senate launched an investigation into Guo in May after a raid on a gambling establishment in Bamban exposed online scams with ties to offshore Chinese clients. Despite subsequent summons to appear before the Senate in June, Guo failed to attend, citing emotional distress as a reason. Consequently, the Senate issued a contempt order against her and sought her arrest.
In August, the Philippines’ anti-graft office removed Guo as mayor due to serious misconduct related to her alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities in Bamban. Additional charges and legal proceedings are expected to follow as the case unfolds.
With inputs from various agencies, the situation surrounding the former mayor’s bid for re-election continues to attract attention and scrutiny as the political landscape in the Philippines evolves.