Senate orders arrest of Mayor Alice Guo over POGO probe obstruction

The Senate has ordered the arrest of suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven others for allegedly obstructing an investigation into illegal POGO operations.

This order was issued after the individuals failed to appear in Senate hearings, which the Senate deemed as delaying and obstructing the inquiry into human trafficking and other violations at a POGO hub.

The Senate teams searched Guo's registered address and POGO-linked factories but failed to locate her or her siblings.

A former accountant of Guo, Nancy Gamo, was apprehended by the Senate.

The eight individuals are ordered to appear before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on July 29.

Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros stated that if Mayor Guo flees the country, the Senate might coordinate with foreign law enforcement agencies.

Guo has faced accusations of having a fake identity, being a Chinese spy, and being part of a POGO syndicate, while also asserting her innocence and Filipino citizenship.