Alice Guo, the dismissed Bamban ‘POGO Mayor,’ returned to Manila. Along with her alleged conspirators, she now faces the possibility of up to 560 years in prison if the court convicts her of money laundering.
Recently, the Philippine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) disclosed this information. During a Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on Thursday, AMLC lawyer Adrian Arpon clearly explained that violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act carry penalties ranging from seven to 14 years of imprisonment per count.
Authorities have filed 87 counts of money laundering against Guo, her sister Shiela Guo, Cassandra Li Ong, and 28 others. These charges could result in a cumulative sentence exceeding 500 years. Investigations by the AMLC and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) uncovered their involvement in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who leads the subcommittee handling the case, emphasized the severity of the potential prison term. She stated, “Even with the minimum penalty of seven years per count, the total comes to around 560 years, well beyond a lifetime.” Furthermore, she urged the accused to seriously consider the implications of the AMLC’s statement.
Meanwhile, hope remains high that the investigation will fully uncover the extent of the criminal operations. In addition, Hontiveros aims to 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. Moreover, she noted that further findings could expose individuals who enabled and profited from the scheme.
Health issues prevented Cassandra Li Ong from attending the Senate inquiry. Arturo Felix Catarata, Secretary of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, informed the Senate through a letter that Ong’s blood sugar and pressure dropped during a House hearing. Consequently, she required immediate medical attention. Doctors recommended her confinement, and they expect her to recover within two to three days.
On Thursday night, Alice Guo arrived back in Manila. Police and local officials escorted her upon arrival. She returned from Jakarta aboard 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.
According to the bureau’s statement, “Guo touched down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) around 1:30 am on September 6th, aboard a special government flight.” This arrival followed a swift operation carried out by Philippine immigration officials in collaboration with Indonesian authorities.
After her arrival, the BI immediately executed the mission order against Guo. Commissioner Tansingco explained that authorities charge her with undesirability and misrepresentation under Philippine immigration laws.
