Civic leader calls Senate probe on Mayor Alice Guo a witch hunt

Civic leader Teresita Ang-See has criticized the Senate's investigation into Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, calling it a "witch hunt" and a "ridiculous zarzuela."

Ang-See expressed that the inquiry, which began with concerns about Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), has become sidetracked into personal attacks and irrelevant topics.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, however, defended the probe, stating that Guo's identity became a focus due to evidence linking her to the POGO hub and that the investigation is about national security, not an attack on Filipinos of Chinese heritage.

Hontiveros clarified that the probe is about national security, criminal activities, accountability in public service, the rights and welfare of women and children, and the structural failure of our system to regulate Pogo.

The investigation focused on Guo's identity after several inconsistencies were observed in her own narrative.

Hontiveros cited findings that Chinese POGO syndicates obtained fake Filipino identification documents through individuals working in government agencies.

An executive session with representatives from the executive department and intelligence agencies is planned to further probe Guo's role in the Bamban POGO hub.