Manila - The Philippine Senate has deployed teams to arrest suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven others linked to an ongoing investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
According to Philippines News Agency, headed by retired Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, four teams were dispatched on Saturday to execute the arrest warrants for Alice Guo and seven associates, including family members and colleagues. The individuals named are Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen Guo, Wen Yi Lin, Dennis Cunanan, and Nancy Gamo. They have been ordered to testify before the Senate committee or resolve their contempt charges.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, has stated that the subpoenas, signed by her and approved by Senate President Francis Escudero, were issued due to the accused's refusal to appear before the Senate, which she noted had "delayed, impeded, and obstructed" the inquiry into allegations of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and abuse at gaming hubs. The arrested individuals are expected to appear before her committee on July 29.
In a DWIZ radio interview, Hontiveros emphasized the critical nature of the testimonies, asserting the necessity of their attendance. The urgency of the situation was underlined by her directive to the OSAA to detain the eight at its office until they comply with the committee's demands.
The controversy has reached the judiciary, with Guo's camp filing a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to annul the Subpoena Ad Testificandum earlier issued against her and her family members by the Hontiveros-led Senate committee. Despite these legal maneuvers, Hontiveros revealed plans to invite more individuals named in previous hearings to further the investigation, likening the POGO situation to "one big happy Pharmally," a reference to a prior scandal involving overpriced medical supplies.
The lawyer for Mayor Guo, Stephen David, has stated that the Mayor will surrender once her mental state stabilizes and mentioned that she has consulted a mental health expert. This development adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding investigation, which Hontiveros vowed to continue as more issues are uncovered.