Alice Guo – in bulletproof vest – appears at Senate for Pogo probe

MANILA, Philippines — Days after her arrest and repatriation to the Philippines, suspected human trafficker and dismissed mayor Alice Guo (real name: Guo Hua Ping) finally faced the Senate — this time, in a bulletproof vest.

On Monday, the Senate panel on women continued its investigation of Guo’s ties to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

Panel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros and her colleagues at the upper chamber have been anticipating Guo’s appearance in the hearing as they seek to unravel her role in the proliferation of illegal offshore gaming firms in the country.

“I am fully expecting [na] magsasalita na siya nang kumpleto at katotohanan,” Hontiveros told reporters in a previous press conference.

(I fully expect that she will talk fully and truthfully.)

READ: Gov’t officials behind Alice Guo’s escape will be fired, sued – Marcos

The ousted mayor of Tarlac’s Bamban town was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, according to the National Bureau of Investigation, citing the Indonesian Police.

She was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police (PNP) after appearing in a court in Tarlac, which issued a warrant of arrest against her for alleged violation of Section 3 (e) and (h) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

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PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Guo’s lawyers requested for her continued detention at the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame, Quezon City which was granted by the court.

Capas Regional Trial Court Branch 109 approved Guo’s appearance Monday at the Senate following Hontiveros’ appeal for her presence in the public hearing.