AMLC: CA issued freeze order on assets of Alice Guo, 2 others

The Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered the freezing of the bank accounts and personal assets of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and two others for their alleged involvement in illegal activities at a Philippine offshore gaming operation.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said the CA issued the resolution on Wednesday, a day after the AMLC filed the petition for the freeze order.

The AMLC said  Guo, Zhiyang Huang, and Baoying Lin are “suspected of orchestrating human trafficking and fraudulent activities through entities such as Zun Yuan Technology Inc., BAOFU Land Development Inc., and Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc.” 

GMA News Online has sought comment from Guo’s camp and will publish it as soon as it is available.

The AMLC said the freeze order covered 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, several real estate properties, and high-value personal properties like luxury vehicles, and a helicopter. 

The agency said the freeze order aimed "to prevent the dissipation of assets while the investigation and legal proceedings continue.” 

The AMLC pointed out that the three individuals covered by the order are linked to illicit activities including the unauthorized POGO at Zun Yuan Technology Inc. 

“The investigation revealed that the company engaged in various illegal activities under the guise of POGO operations, including human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and online scam schemes,” it said. 

“These operations were conducted within the premises of BAOFU Land Development Inc., which housed numerous workers, including trafficked individuals, who were forced to participate in fraudulent online activities.” 

Guo, who is currently suspended from her post, has been the subject of a Senate probe on her alleged link to the POGO activities in her town. 

Authorities raided the 10-hectare POGO hub operated by Zun  Yuan Technology Inc. in March and found several devices said to be linked to POGO operations. Over 800 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued during the raid.

Guo and two other municipal officials were suspended for up to six months by the Office of the Ombudsman after issuing a permit to the operators of the POGO company despite lacking the necessary documents and a provisional license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Senators have also questioned her identity following inconsistencies with her answers regarding her nationality and personal life. 

A Senate panel on Wednesday ordered the issuance of an arrest order against Guo for failing to show up in the probe on the raided POGO hub in Bamban. 

Although Guo cited mental and physical health concerns for her absence, Senator Risa Hontiveros pointed out that her letter was not backed by a medical certificate. —Vince Ferreras/NB/RF, GMA Integrated News