Is Alice Guo really a spy? NICA labels her an ‘agent of influence’

Alice Guo and other PDLs at the Senate of the Philippines on October 8, 2024. | PHOTO: Noy Morcoso / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Is Alice Guo really a foreign spy?

At the Senate panel on women’s final hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) on Tuesday, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Deputy Director General Ashley Acedillo stated that existing information and data suggest the former Bamban mayor is an agent of influence.

“Is she an agent of influence? We [currently do not have] any legislation or any convention in our country that defines what an agent of influence is. However, within the historical context given that these activities have been common especially during the cold war, the activities and the facts that have come to light so far in this committee and in other committees, specially in the House, point to the fact that she is and even in discussions within the intelligence community there is consensus that indeed, she is an agent of influence,” said Acedillo.

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His confirmation came after panel head Senator Risa Hontiveros asked whether NICA has determined whether or not Guo is a Chinese spy.

Acedillo, however, noted that they cannot categorically confirm at the moment whether or not Guo is a foreign spy. He said NICA wants to be “specific and as accurate” as they would like to be in determining such.

“It requires a determination of fact. Meaning, the intelligence agency to which that trained her, employed her, and supervised her, or controlled her, either confirms or an officer of that agency confirms the existence or the fact rather of Ms. Guo Hua Ping being their agent,” he said.

Guo is the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor who is now facing a non-bailable charge of qualified human trafficking at the Pasig Regional Trial Court.

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She was accused of being part of a “conspiracy” that allowed an illegal Pogo hub in her town to engage in human trafficking activities, among other crimes.

Questions about her citizenship were also raised, leading to allegations that she is a Chinese spy — which she vehemently denied.  The National Bureau of Investigation, however, earlier confirmed that she and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping are one.