Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Photo from Mayor Alice Leal Guo Facebook

MANILA — Donned in bahag that symbolizes their identity and culture, several indigenous Aetas held a dance ritual, bringing with them arrows, in front of the Bamban, Tarlac Municipal Hall on Tuesday.

• EXCLUSIVE: Bamban mayor Guo says she won’t resign, will seek reelection

They said this shows how they would protect Mayor Alice Guo from "arrows" that will hit her.

They added that they fully support the mayor because she brought education closer to the Indigenous peoples.

"Ang sitio po ng Mabilog ay malayo... Ang eskwelahang high school ay umakyat sa kabundukan - iyon po ang isang progreso na naipakita ng aming mayora. Mayora, manalo, matalo, number one ka sa bayan ng Bamban," community leader Brecy Sibal told ABS-CBN News.

(Sitio Mabilog is far... The high school was brought closer to the mountains - that is one of the progresses our Mayor has shown to us. Mayor, win or lose, you are number one in the town of Bamban.)

"Sa kanya lang po namin nakita iyong magandang pag-angat at magandang pagsasagawa at may magandang pakikisama sa mga katutubo," he added.

(It is only through her that we have seen good progress, effective implementation, and excellent rapport with the Indigenous people.)

Some religious communities do not see the personal life and background of Guo as issue, but they agree with the municipal chief's plan to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).

"Kung ang POGO na atin pong pinag-uusapan... ay nasa maling gawain... agree po kami doon na ang POGO ay iba-ban talaga sa bayan ng Bamban. At hindi lang dito sa bayan ng Bamban, bagama't sa buong Pilipinas," said Pastor Jeffrey Bugayong, secretary of the Association of Bamban Evangelical Churches (ABEC).

(If the POGO we are talking about is engaged in illegal activities, we agree that POGO should be banned in the town of Bamban. And not just here in the town of Bamban, but in the entire Philippines.)

 For ABEC chairperson Pastor Ricky Equit, Guo has accomplished a lot in her almost two years as a local official.

• Bamban town employees voice support for Mayor Guo

"Noong siya po ay naging mayor dito... ang daming pumasok na mga investor, nag-invite siya ng mga imbestor at ang laki po ng pagbabago sa bayan ng Bamban. Pati po sa mga barangay, street light... Totoo siyang tao, hindi siya plastic na tao... simpleng tao lang po," he said.

 (When she became mayor here, many investors came in; she invited investors and there were significant changes in the town of Bamban. Even in the barangays, there were street lights... She is a genuine person, not fake... just a simple person.) 

For some residents, it appears that the elections may have come a little sooner due to the various messages of support for the mayor, placed on streets and walls. 

'LINKS TO CRIMINALS'

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is not convinced, saying Guo has many red flags because of her lack of proper record in the Philippines and alleged connection to criminals.

"Ang daming red flag ni Mayor Alice Guo. Wala na ngang maayos na record sa Pilipinas, may mga koneksyon pa sa mga kriminal. Is this why she is able to afford her lavish lifestyle? Galing ba sa mga kriminal at pugante ang pambili niya ng chopper at mga luxury cars?" Hontiveros said in a statement.

(Mayor Alice Guo has many red flags. Not only does she lack a proper record in the Philippines, but she also has connections to criminals. Is this why she is able to afford her lavish lifestyle? Does the money for her helicopter and luxury cars come from criminals and fugitives?)

ABS-CBN News has reached out to Guo's camp for a statement regarding the allegations.

Meantime, the Tarlac Provincial Government is planning to ban POGO and any form of gambling.

"According to Vice Gov Carlito David we will adopt the resolution by Sen. (Sherwin) Gatchalian banning POGOs and in any form of gambling in the Province of Tarlac," it said.

Despite still getting used to the public's attention, residents of Bamban hope this will pave the way for their town to be recognized, along with the efforts of its people to improve and prosper.

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