Alice Guo writes Palace, seeks fair probe into controversies

The camp of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is seeking a fair investigation into the issues and controversies thrown against her.

This as Guo’s associates submitted a letter to the Office of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday morning to explain her side amid accusations against her, including the alleged involvement to the BAOFU Land Development, Inc., espionage, human trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering. 

Bersamin is chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

“Yes, in summary that was our request,” Atty. Lorelei Santos told Palace reporters when asked if Guo is seeking a fair probe.

''It's simply a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary as the chairman of the PAOCC, just expressing the mayor's intention that she is one with the Commission to uncover the truth and for justice to prevail,'' she added.

In the six-page letter, Guo's camp pointed out that in the past several weeks, the embattled mayor has been the subject of probe by the Senate wherein the conduct ''has become conclusory and it would seem that a judgment without due process has already been rendered against her.''

''Our client is one with the mandate of this Honorable Commission to investigate and prosecute criminal elements in the country and to enhance coordination between and among agencies engaged in the fight against criminality,'' the letter read.

''Thus, through this submission, she would like to explain her side on these matters to refute the serious allegations imputed against her and to shed light on these matters,'' it indicated.

In the said letter, Guo also ensured that she would cooperate in any kind of probe, adding that she is ready to provide the needed documents.

''Ako ay lubos na nakahandang makipagtulungan sa anumang proseso ng imbestigasyon at magbigay ng anumang kinakailangang dokumento o testimonya upang linisin ang aking pangalan,'' Guo said. 

(I am ready to cooperate with any process of investigation and provide the necessary documents and testimonies in order to clear my name.) 

The mayor also reiterated that the accusations linking her to criminal activities of POGOs in her town are baseless. She maintained that she ran for mayor of Bamban not to protect POGO operations but to ensure the welfare of her constituents.

GMA News Online reached out to Bersamin and PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz for comments on the matter but they have yet to reply as of posting time.

Meanwhile, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said the office would provide a comment once they read the documents submitted by Guo's camp.

''We will comment once we have read through the document,'' Casio told GMA News Online in a message. 

Criminal charges

Earlier, the PAOCC said that criminal charges would be filed against Guo, including those in relation to the alleged illegal activities in a compound located behind her town’s municipal hall.

The PAOCC said that the criminal charges to be filed are “serious” and “non-bailable” against Guo and those involved in the Bamban POGO hub.

Guo is being investigated by the Senate amid her alleged involvement in the operations of Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated, a POGO entity that was raided by police and the military in March for alleged illegal activities inside the Baofu Land Development Inc. compound.

The area was located behind the Bamban Municipal Hall in Tarlac province.

Guo has denied involvement in any irregularities. — KG/RSJ/ VAL, GMA Integrated News