By Reese Pastrana

On July 14, 2024, the Senate sent out arrest orders for Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her family, along with  Dennis Cuananan and Nancy Gamo with the arrest order being signed last July 11 by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the presider of the investigation and approved by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero. 

The orders were sent out due to Guo’s absences in the senate hearings involving numerous crimes including human trafficking, torture, and serious illegal detention at Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs; it has been noted that the mayor is linked to two illegal POGO hubs: the Zun Yuan Technology and  Hongsheng Gaming Technology hubs in Bamban, Tarlac.

Guo has missed two Senate hearings, stating it was due to her mental health concerns. However, no medical certificates were presented to back her claims. 

Guo’s family was also ordered to be arrested due to their noncompliance with the hearings for the POGO crimes. According to Sen. Hontiveros, the Senate was able to gather information on the whereabouts of her family including Guo’s parents, Jian Zhong Guo and Wen Yi Lin, who are in China while her siblings, Seimen, Wesley and Sheila are still in the Philippines.

If they still continue to resist arrest, they will be physically brought into the Senate for the next hearing on July 29, Hontiveros mentioned. 

“Their refusal to attend the hearings is a disrespect to the Senate as an institution. It is their obligation to comply with the subpoenas and respect the law,” she stated.

Cunanan was known as the authorized representative of the Hongsheng hub and Lucky South 99, the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. He was also convicted thrice in the pork barrel scam.

Gamo is Guo’s accountant in the incorporation papers of the Tarlac POGO hubs, as well as in the Guo family businesses. 

As of July 15, only Gamo has been arrested and is currently detained under the Senate custody.