Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, Philippines, was recently arrested in Indonesia on September 3 after being on the run since July 18. The arrest was made just before midnight in Tangerang City, Jakarta, by Indonesian police.
Guo’s arrest stems from her alleged involvement in criminal activities at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) located in Bamban, Tarlac Province. The facility was raided by law enforcement in March after reports of illegal practices, including human trafficking. During the raid, numerous Filipino and foreign workers were rescued from the premises.
Workers at the POGO facility revealed that they were promised well-paying and legitimate jobs but were instead coerced into participating in online scams. They were reportedly threatened with physical harm and torture if they did not comply with the demands of the operators.
Further investigations into the matter revealed that Guo, despite being elected as the mayor of Bamban in 2022, is actually a Chinese national with the birth name Guo Hua Ping. It was uncovered that she had a stake in the ownership of the gaming center and had been financing its operations with funds from China.
The public outrage following the illegal activities at the POGO facility prompted the Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to take action by banning the entire POGO industry in the country. Guo now faces a slew of charges, including money laundering, human trafficking, tax evasion, and criminal misrepresentation.
The arrest of Alice Guo highlights the pervasive issue of illegal practices within the offshore gaming industry and the dire consequences it can have on individuals who are exploited for financial gain. The case also underscores the importance of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives who attempt to evade justice by fleeing to other countries.
As the legal proceedings against Guo unfold, it is crucial for authorities to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for such heinous crimes are held accountable. The victims of the POGO facility deserve justice and restitution for the suffering they endured at the hands of unscrupulous individuals like Guo.