Embattled Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo declared on Monday that she would no longer allow Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to operate in her jurisdiction following their link to illegal activities. This statement was made during an exclusive interview with journalist Karen Davila.
“Now as long as I’m mayor I will no longer allow any POGO operation in my town,” Guo asserted, emphasizing her stand against the operations, which have recently been connected to human trafficking and scams.
In a strong declaration in Tagalog, Guo emphasized her resolve: “Sa sarili kong bayan ayaw ko na po. I will never tolerate, at ayaw ko na rin na magkaroon ng any POGO operation sa sarili kong bayan.”
Guo’s remarks come after a recent law enforcement raid on Zun Yuan Technology Inc in Bamban, where about 875 individuals were rescued, including foreign nationals from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Rwanda. The raid revealed that the POGO was allegedly fronting numerous scams.
An official from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) supported these claims, stating that the offshore gaming was merely a cover for the illicit operations.
Guo, whose name surfaced in connection with the POGOs after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian questioned her awareness of the illegal activities, denied any involvement. She stated that she introduced Hong Sheng Gaming Technologies to the town during the tenure of a former mayor but denied applying for its permit and gaming franchise.
“Wala naman pong record na magsasabi na nag-apply ako,” Guo said, refuting claims that she was the applicant for the POGO’s permit.
She further distanced herself from operational involvement, citing her avoidance of the compound to prevent conflicts of interest. “Ayoko pong magkaroon ng conflict of interest. Di po ako pumapasok. Di po ako pumupunta dun sa building,” she explained.
