Senator Risa Hontiveros has alleged that the controversial Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo, has connections with individuals arrested about the “largest money laundering” case in Singapore. Hontiveros made this assertion in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, as investigations into Guo’s connections to illegal activities continue, including Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations, human trafficking, and surveillance.
“Mayor Alice Guo has ties with criminals. Her former associates in Baofu, Zhang Ruijin, and Baoying Lin, were arrested in the ‘largest money laundering case’ in Singapore,” Hontiveros stated.
Lin Baoying and Zhang Ruijin, who are reportedly in a relationship, are involved in the investigation concerning the S$2.8 billion (US$2 billion) money laundering case in Singapore. Their bail attempts have been denied by the court.
The Baofu Compound is located in Bamban, Tarlac. Guo admitted to owning “land shares” in Baofu but claimed she sold them to a Filipino businessman named Jack Uy before running for the 2022 elections.
In March, Zuan Yuan Technology Inc., located within the Baofu Compound, was raided following complaints of human trafficking and other crimes, such as “love scams.” The facility is also under investigation for allegedly conducting surveillance and hacking government websites.
Guo has previously been embroiled in controversy after being questioned by Hontiveros and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. She struggled to answer several questions regarding her birthplace, lack of school records, late birth registration, and other personal details. Her citizenship has also been questioned, with doubts about whether she is a Filipino or a Chinese citizen.
Under Section 39 (a) of the Local Government Code of the Philippines, candidates for local elective positions, such as mayor, must be Filipino citizens.
Over two weeks ago, Gatchalian noted that the electric meter for Zuan Yuan Technology Inc. was registered under Guo’s name, further raising suspicions about her involvement with the controversial facility.
Enough na Ang palusot. No educational background in the Philippines, No proper birth certificate, not knowledgable with her own birth certificate. Impossible po.