MANILA -- Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, directly asked Alice Guo if they had ever interacted prior to the ongoing Senate inquiry, after a "former chief PNP" was mentioned as being an accomplice of the dismissed Bamban mayor.

During the Senate panel's probe into illegal POGOs on Tuesday (September 17), Pagcor's Security Monitoring Cluster head Raul Villanueva said they are verifying an intel report that a former PNP chief may have been involved in Guo's escape.

READ: Citing 'intel', Pagcor exec says a former PNP chief may have helped Alice Guo escape

Villanueva's mention of an unnamed ex-PNP chief visibly surprised panel chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who then asked the PNP representative at the hearing if they have similar intel.

Police Brig. Gen. Raul Tacaca said they so far do not have a report on a supposed bribery from Guo reaching their ranks, but added they would file complaints if evidence indicates otherwise.

Dela Rosa, who joined towards the end of the hearing, took his turn to interpellate Guo. He first asked her about her brother Wesley Guo and her supposed hesitation to return to China, before bringing up the intel about a former PNP chief.

"I am concerned, because I am a former chief PNP! Baka mamaya may lalabas na script diyan na, 'Si Bato ay tumatanggap ng pera galing kay [Guo],'" dela Rosa said.

Guo responded in the negative to whether they had ever met in person, taken a selfie together, or even crossed paths before the Senate probe.

Dela Rosa went on to address Villanueva, asking him about the identity of the PNP official.

Villanueva answered, "I don't have any confirmation, but I'm sure you're not the one."

"Thank you ... I'm not the one," dela Rosa said. "Iyon lang, siniguro ko lang. Thank you, General Villanueva."