Alice Guo, the dismissed Bamban ‘POGO Mayor,’ has returned to Manila and, along with her alleged conspirators, faces the possibility of up to 560 years in prison if convicted of money laundering.
The Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) disclosed this information, with AMLC lawyer Adrian Arpon explaining during a Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on Thursday that violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act carry penalties of seven to 14 years of imprisonment per count.
Guo, her sister Shiela Guo, Cassandra Li Ong, and 28 others have been charged with 87 counts of money laundering, which could result in a cumulative sentence exceeding 500 years. These charges arise from their alleged involvement in the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), uncovered through investigations by the AMLC and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who leads the subcommittee handling the case, emphasized the severity of the potential prison term. Hontiveros stated, “Even with the minimum penalty of seven years per count, the total comes to around 560 years, well beyond a lifetime.” She urged the accused to seriously consider the implications of the AMLC’s statement.
During the hearing, Hontiveros expressed hope that the investigation would fully uncover the extent of the criminal operations and identify those who assisted the Guo siblings and Ong in their connection to POGOs. “We’re gradually uncovering the extent of this dismissed mayor’s criminal activities,” she added, noting that further findings could expose individuals who enabled and profited from the scheme.
One of the accused, Cassandra Li Ong, was unable to attend the Senate inquiry due to health issues. A letter from Arturo Felix Catarata, Secretary of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, informed the Senate that Ong’s blood sugar and pressure dropped during a House hearing, requiring immediate medical attention. Doctors recommended her confinement, with recovery expected to take two to three days.
Meanwhile, Alice Guo arrived back in Manila on Thursday night, escorted by high-ranking police and local officials. Guo returned from Jakarta on a private jet that landed at a private hangar at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed her successful return to the Philippines.
“Guo touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) around 1:30 am on September 6th, aboard a special government flight. This followed a swift operation carried out by Philippine immigration officials in collaboration with Indonesian authorities,” the bureau’s statement read.
The BI immediately executed the mission order against Guo, who, according to Tansingco, is facing charges of undesirability and misrepresentation under Philippine immigration laws.