Why Did Alice Guo “Avoid” China After Escaping the Philippines?
ALICE GUO – The dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor avoided returning to China after fleeing the Philippines due to her alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), which are illegal under Chinese law.
Though many assumed she would seek refuge in her supposed homeland, Guo instead chose to move between Southeast Asian countries, attempting to evade authorities by heading to areas controlled by criminal syndicates, such as the Golden Triangle. Before reaching her destination, she was arrested in Indonesia.
During a Senate inquiry into illegal POGOs, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa questioned why Guo did not attempt to return to China. Guo claimed that she was considering returning to the Philippines to face the allegations, insisting that going to China was never part of her plan.
However, Dela Rosa speculated that Guo avoided China to escape the harsh consequences of her alleged POGO involvement. In China, all forms of gambling, including POGO-related activities, are strictly prohibited, and Guo would likely face prosecution if she returned.
“Kaya siguro ayaw mong pumunta ng China dahil involved ka sa POGO. Siguradong katay ka sa gobyerno ng China pag-umuwi ka doon dahil galit na galit ang gobyerno ng China sa POGO,” Senator Bato said.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has expressed strong disapproval of POGOs, asserting that they harm both Chinese and Filipino interests and contribute to serious crimes such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and murder. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines reiterated that it strictly cracks down on Chinese citizens involved in gambling operations abroad, including POGOs. In fact, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the banning of POGOs in his July State of the Nation Address, the Chinese government praised the decision, as it aligned with their stance against gambling.
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