Residents of Bamban, Tarlac have shown support for their mayor, Alice Guo, who is in the middle of a controversy over the alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in the town.

The residents have put up signs around the municipal hall to express their support. 

One of the signs reads, “Mayor Alice, whether you are Filipino or Chinese, it doesn’t matter to us because you only want to serve Bamban.”

Various groups, including the Aeta community, have criticized lawmakers for the issues being thrown at Guo, such as her alleged involvement in illegal POGO operations and questions about her true identity.

“Ang hamon ko sa kanila ay huwag nilang mamaliitin ang aming mayora. Sapagkat kami ang nagboto [sakanya], tao ng Bamban ang bumoto,” Oscar River, a leader of the Aeta community, said. 

“Pero sa kanilang ginagawa, kinukwesyon pati ang kanyang pinag-aralan at kung saan isinilang. Kung POGO ang problema, POGO lang pag-usapan. Huwag idamay ang kanyang posisyon,” River said.

“‘Yung mga serbisyong binibigay niya sa aming barangay, [kagaya ng] libreng service sa mga estudyante nating katutubo…. Ang sinasabing hindi siya Pilipino ay mali. Pilipino siya at talagang taga-Bamban siya,” Ferdinand Maristela, Barangay Chairman of Sto. Nino, said.

FLAG CEREMONY

Guo was absent during the regular flag raising ceremony at the Bamban Municipal Hall on May 20, 2024.

The Public Information Office (PIO) said Guo was busy preparing for the upcoming founding anniversary of the town on June 5, 2024.

Vice Mayor Leonardo Anunciacion and members of the Municipal Council were present at the ceremony. They said they are unaware of any illegal POGO hub near the municipal hall. 

Anunciacion said his first encounter with Guo was in 2001.

“Nakilala ko si Mayor Alice noong 2001 noong ako ay mayor pa lang. Nag-aapply sila ng permit para sa kanilang piggery. Noong binigyan ko ng permit, doon ko nakita,” he said.

BACKGROUND

Guo's identity has come under scrutiny during a Senate investigation into illegal activities at a POGO hub behind the Bamban Municipal Hall.

According to GMA Integrated News Research, Guo’s certificate of candidacy states she was born in 1986 in Tarlac and has lived in Bamban for over 18 years since October 2021.

The POGO hub was raided earlier in March 2024 where over 800 Filipino and foreign workers were rescued, and was suspected of being involved in the so-called “love scam.”