Manila: Marcos Supports Investigation into Bamban Mayor Alice Guo

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the identity of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who is under Senate scrutiny over allegations of being a Chinese asset. During a media interview in Cagayan de Oro City, Marcos revealed that Guo has been monitored by the government due to her unfamiliarity among local leaders.

According to Philippines News Agency, he is acquainted with all politicians from Tarlac, but no one knows Guo, prompting questions about her origins and background. “That’s why an investigation is really needed,” Marcos told reporters. Guo’s nationality is under question following suspicions of her involvement in two illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations recently raided in her city, which surfaced during a Senate investigation.

Her case is also linked to concerns about the increasing Chinese presence in the country due to the influx of Chinese nationals. Marcos stated that immigration authorities should tighten their surveillance to ensure the safety of Filipinos. When asked if the presence of foreign nationals with questionable backgrounds like Guo poses a security threat, the President responded, “I think so. We are not sure, so we need to look into this closely. But there’s a possibility that it is a security threat.”