Alice Guo, a name recently making headlines, seems to have embraced a celebrity-like status rather than the fugitive label associated with her. Despite her ongoing legal troubles and controversies, Guo has portrayed herself in a positive light, creating a surprising contrast with her serious legal issues.
Guo’s situation began to capture public attention during a Senate probe into the activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). On May 7, 2024, Guo attended a Senate hearing chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, focusing on illegal activities tied to POGOs. Guo, an incorporator of Zun Yuan Technology Inc., was scrutinized for alleged connections to human trafficking and illegal detention. The company, which replaced Hongsheng Gaming Technology Incorporated, was raided multiple times over serious allegations.
The investigations uncovered documents linking Guo to Zun Yuan Technology Inc., including billing statements and a vehicle registered under her name. Senator Hontiveros raised suspicions about Guo’s identity, questioning her Philippine birth records and suspecting she might be a Chinese spy. Guo’s claims about her upbringing and education on a farm, tutored by a person named Teacher Rubilyn, were challenged by Hontiveros, who found discrepancies in Guo’s narrative.
By May 18, 2024, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended Guo’s suspension to avoid influencing ongoing investigations into her nationality and ties to POGOs. The Ombudsman followed suit, suspending Guo along with other municipal officials implicated in the scandal.
Further complications arose in June. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian highlighted potential identity discrepancies between Alice Guo and a Chinese woman named Guo Hua Ping, leading to confusion over her true identity. Documents indicated that Guo Hua Ping’s birthdate differed from the one Guo listed on official records. Additionally, conflicting information about Guo’s parentage was revealed.
In response to the mounting evidence, the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission filed a non-bailable human trafficking charge against Guo. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping were indeed the same person, based on fingerprint matches. Despite this, Guo’s legal team sought to delay Senate hearings through a Supreme Court petition.
On July 10, 2024, Hontiveros cited Guo for contempt after her second no-show at a Senate hearing. The Senate later issued an arrest order against her on July 12. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) also recommended filing a misrepresentation case against Guo, citing discrepancies between her voting records and those of Guo Hua Ping.
Amidst these serious legal battles, Alice Guo appeared to revel in a celebrity-like status. Recent reports from September 4, 2024, indicated that she was apprehended in Malaysia, and on September 5, 2024, was brought back to the Philippines by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and other officials. During her return, Guo seemed upbeat, and even posed for photos with officials, creating a stark contrast to her fugitive status. This prompted Senator Risa Hontiveros to remind the public that Guo was indeed a fugitive facing grave charges, not a celebrity.
I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS!
— em (@kunsdavai) September 5, 2024
hello ang dami pong kaso ni alice guo a.k.a guo hua ping and you guys give her this kind of special treatment. hindi po artista si alice, kriminal po siya. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/6vvsiDI8i6
Public reaction has been divided. Many netizens expressed frustration over the seemingly casual treatment of Guo, feeling that her portrayal as a celebrity undermines the severity of her legal issues. As Guo’s case continues to unfold, the discrepancy between her self-perception and the gravity of her charges remains a focal point of controversy.