WRAP: Supposed Chinese spy in Thai jail rekindles suspicion Alice Guo is a Beijing asset | ABS-CBN
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WRAP: Supposed Chinese spy in Thai jail rekindles suspicion Alice Guo is a Beijing asset
WRAP: Supposed Chinese spy in Thai jail rekindles suspicion Alice Guo is a Beijing asset
National Bureau of Investigation Dactyloscopy Division chief Dr. Alfredo Kahanding shows the matching fingerprints of suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping, which are different from those of another person named Alice Guo during the Senate Hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in Pasay City on July 10, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
National Bureau of Investigation Dactyloscopy Division chief Dr. Alfredo Kahanding shows the matching fingerprints of suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and Guo Hua Ping, which are different from those of another person named Alice Guo during the Senate Hearing on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in Pasay City on July 10, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — An Al Jazeera documentary has prompted questions at the House of Representatives and revived speculations that Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac facing a raft of cases related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, is not only a Chinese national, but is also a spy for China’s Ministry of State Security.
MANILA — An Al Jazeera documentary has prompted questions at the House of Representatives and revived speculations that Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac facing a raft of cases related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, is not only a Chinese national, but is also a spy for China’s Ministry of State Security.
The East 101 documentary on jailed tycoon She Zhijiang, who is facing deportation to China and claims to be a former MSS spy, was shown at the House Quad Comm hearing on Friday, giving lawmakers a new line of questioning and Guo a reason to lose her cool.
The East 101 documentary on jailed tycoon She Zhijiang, who is facing deportation to China and claims to be a former MSS spy, was shown at the House Quad Comm hearing on Friday, giving lawmakers a new line of questioning and Guo a reason to lose her cool.
“Hindi po ako spy. Totally po hindi ako spy. Hindi ako ang nasa picture at hindi rin po ako ang sinasabi niya,” Guo said of a supposed dossier that She had on Guo Hua Ping — the name Chinese national with the same fingerprints as her — whose listed address was a Communist Party of China office and whose neighbors in Fujian Province said she had moved to the Philippines in late 2002.
“Hindi po ako spy. Totally po hindi ako spy. Hindi ako ang nasa picture at hindi rin po ako ang sinasabi niya,” Guo said of a supposed dossier that She had on Guo Hua Ping — the name Chinese national with the same fingerprints as her — whose listed address was a Communist Party of China office and whose neighbors in Fujian Province said she had moved to the Philippines in late 2002.
(I am not a spy. I am totally not a spy. I am not the woman in the picture and what [She is] saying isn’t true)
(I am not a spy. I am totally not a spy. I am not the woman in the picture and what [She is] saying isn’t true)
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Guo had, until then, presented herself as an amiable, if sometimes awkward, woman who claimed to have grown up on a farm and who often had quirky content on her social media accounts.
Guo had, until then, presented herself as an amiable, if sometimes awkward, woman who claimed to have grown up on a farm and who often had quirky content on her social media accounts.
She was even all smiles when she was brought back from Indonesia, where she had fled in July allegedly because of death threats, by Philippine officials.
She was even all smiles when she was brought back from Indonesia, where she had fled in July allegedly because of death threats, by Philippine officials.
“Relax ka lang, bakit ka galit?” PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles commented at Guo’s change in demeanor.
“Relax ka lang, bakit ka galit?” PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles commented at Guo’s change in demeanor.
(Just relax. Why are you angry?)
(Just relax. Why are you angry?)
SPY SPECULATION
Speculation that Guo might be a Chinese spy cropped up at the start of Senate hearings into POGOs, when Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Win Gatchalian began asking questions about her true nationality.
Speculation that Guo might be a Chinese spy cropped up at the start of Senate hearings into POGOs, when Sens. Risa Hontiveros and Win Gatchalian began asking questions about her true nationality.
“Mayor Alice was catapulted to power in a small town in Tarlac, but does she have the public records that will strongly establish her identity as a Filipino national?" Hontiveros asked in May. She said she was worried that Guo's candidacy and eventual election was an attempt by either China or by syndicates to gain a foothold in Philippine government.
“Mayor Alice was catapulted to power in a small town in Tarlac, but does she have the public records that will strongly establish her identity as a Filipino national?" Hontiveros asked in May. She said she was worried that Guo's candidacy and eventual election was an attempt by either China or by syndicates to gain a foothold in Philippine government.
That same month, Guo said in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News that she had been evasive in answering senators’ questions because she was ashamed of being born out of wedlock.
That same month, Guo said in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News that she had been evasive in answering senators’ questions because she was ashamed of being born out of wedlock.
"Ang gusto kong sabihin sa lahat ng publiko, hindi po ako spy. Ako po ay isang Pilipino. Mahal ko ang sarili kong bansa... Hindi po ako asset," Guo also said then.
"Ang gusto kong sabihin sa lahat ng publiko, hindi po ako spy. Ako po ay isang Pilipino. Mahal ko ang sarili kong bansa... Hindi po ako asset," Guo also said then.
(What I want the public to know is that I am not a spy. I am a Filipino. I love my country and I am not an asset of China)
(What I want the public to know is that I am not a spy. I am a Filipino. I love my country and I am not an asset of China)
By June, the NBI’s Dactyloscopy Division said that Guo’s fingerprints matched those of a Guo Hua Ping, whose family had been granted a Special Investors Resident Visa and who entered the Philippines in January 2003 — around the same time that the Guo Hua Ping of Fujian supposedly moved to the Philippines.
By June, the NBI’s Dactyloscopy Division said that Guo’s fingerprints matched those of a Guo Hua Ping, whose family had been granted a Special Investors Resident Visa and who entered the Philippines in January 2003 — around the same time that the Guo Hua Ping of Fujian supposedly moved to the Philippines.
The Chinese Embassy in April dismissed the suspicions as “Sinophobic sentiments” and urged “relevant parties in the Philippines” to “stop spinning false narratives and arousing anti-China sentiments.”
The Chinese Embassy in April dismissed the suspicions as “Sinophobic sentiments” and urged “relevant parties in the Philippines” to “stop spinning false narratives and arousing anti-China sentiments.”
Speaking in April on the supposed threats posed by the Chinese students in Tuguegarao, Chinese-Filipino civic leader Teresita Ang-See said the exaggerated narrative was "further churning the waters into a potentially dangerous tsunami."
Speaking in April on the supposed threats posed by the Chinese students in Tuguegarao, Chinese-Filipino civic leader Teresita Ang-See said the exaggerated narrative was "further churning the waters into a potentially dangerous tsunami."
She added: “Truly, conflating geopolitical tensions with racism and Sinophobia has no part in our civilized Christian society.”
She added: “Truly, conflating geopolitical tensions with racism and Sinophobia has no part in our civilized Christian society.”
WHO IS SHE ZHIJIANG?
Detained in Thailand — he says illegally — She Zhijiang is a tycoon linked to scam sites in Yatai New City, a boom town in Myanmar and who is wanted by the Chinese government on the suspicion "of having committed the crime of running casinos."
Detained in Thailand — he says illegally — She Zhijiang is a tycoon linked to scam sites in Yatai New City, a boom town in Myanmar and who is wanted by the Chinese government on the suspicion "of having committed the crime of running casinos."
Gambling is illegal in China and involvement in it, even in foreign countries like the Philippines and Myanmar, is a crime. The Chinese Embassy has repeatedly called for the shuttering of POGOs, calling them "detrimental to both Philippine and Chinese interests", and has warned Chinese nationals working in them that they may face prosecution.
Gambling is illegal in China and involvement in it, even in foreign countries like the Philippines and Myanmar, is a crime. The Chinese Embassy has repeatedly called for the shuttering of POGOs, calling them "detrimental to both Philippine and Chinese interests", and has warned Chinese nationals working in them that they may face prosecution.
Like Guo, She has also been accused of human trafficking and forced labor at the scam sites.
Like Guo, She has also been accused of human trafficking and forced labor at the scam sites.
She claims that he was recruited to the MSS in the Philippines in 2016. He was already a wanted man then, but his recruiter said the charges would go away if he agreed to work for them.
She claims that he was recruited to the MSS in the Philippines in 2016. He was already a wanted man then, but his recruiter said the charges would go away if he agreed to work for them.
Supposedly as an MSS asset, She managed to attend a state function held by then President Rodrigo Duterte to honor visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2018. An invitation shown in the Al Jazeera documentary was for a Cambodian man, an identity that She said MSS gave him.
Supposedly as an MSS asset, She managed to attend a state function held by then President Rodrigo Duterte to honor visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2018. An invitation shown in the Al Jazeera documentary was for a Cambodian man, an identity that She said MSS gave him.
She also claims that Guo had asked him for money for her 2022 election campaign but that he refused because he didn’t want to “offend the government of the Philippines.”
She also claims that Guo had asked him for money for her 2022 election campaign but that he refused because he didn’t want to “offend the government of the Philippines.”
She Zhijiang said he and Guo Hua Ping “dedicated [their] lives to China’s Ministry of State Security,” and urged her to "tell the world the truth" if she doesn't want to be "eliminated", saying also that he is sure he will be killed if he is deported to China.
She Zhijiang said he and Guo Hua Ping “dedicated [their] lives to China’s Ministry of State Security,” and urged her to "tell the world the truth" if she doesn't want to be "eliminated", saying also that he is sure he will be killed if he is deported to China.
Guo on Friday hotly denied asking She for money, adding she does not even know him. The dismissed mayor said she wants to sue She and Al Jazeera over the documentary.
Guo on Friday hotly denied asking She for money, adding she does not even know him. The dismissed mayor said she wants to sue She and Al Jazeera over the documentary.
CREDIBLE THREAT?
Authorities have taken note of She's allegations but are distancing themselves from them, saying the claims must be validated.
Authorities have taken note of She's allegations but are distancing themselves from them, saying the claims must be validated.
Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission — among the agencies investigating POGO complexes in Bamban and in Porac, Pampanga — said the development is welcome but needs thorough investigation.
Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo on Sunday, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission — among the agencies investigating POGO complexes in Bamban and in Porac, Pampanga — said the development is welcome but needs thorough investigation.
He said the commission will need to check with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and with foreign counterparts.
He said the commission will need to check with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and with foreign counterparts.
“‘Yung nagsasalita doon ay may mga kaso din, so di natin alam kung nagsasabi talaga ng totoo yun o gumagawa rin siya ng propaganda,” he said.
“‘Yung nagsasalita doon ay may mga kaso din, so di natin alam kung nagsasabi talaga ng totoo yun o gumagawa rin siya ng propaganda,” he said.
The National Security Council, which in late 2023 warned against Chinese "operators" and "proxies" in the Philippines conducting information operations on the Filipino public, said the government needs to "tread carefully" in case She's claims are another such operation.
The National Security Council, which in late 2023 warned against Chinese "operators" and "proxies" in the Philippines conducting information operations on the Filipino public, said the government needs to "tread carefully" in case She's claims are another such operation.
"We have yet to validate the information mentioned, considering that the person is not entirely credible being a wanted criminal and leader of an international crime syndicate," NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
"We have yet to validate the information mentioned, considering that the person is not entirely credible being a wanted criminal and leader of an international crime syndicate," NSC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.
The AFP has meanwhile assured the public that it has “contingency plans in place” against foreign espionage.
The AFP has meanwhile assured the public that it has “contingency plans in place” against foreign espionage.
"Our intelligence operatives are doing their roles in this. We are getting all the information that we need,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said, adding the military is prepared to help with any investigation into She’s claims.
"Our intelligence operatives are doing their roles in this. We are getting all the information that we need,” Col. Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said, adding the military is prepared to help with any investigation into She’s claims.
"The Philippines’ counter intelligence efforts are 'not only against [People's Republic of China] MSS spies but also other foreign spies operating in the country',” Malaya, who is also NSC assistant director general, said.
"The Philippines’ counter intelligence efforts are 'not only against [People's Republic of China] MSS spies but also other foreign spies operating in the country',” Malaya, who is also NSC assistant director general, said.
TENSION OVER WEST PHILIPPINE SEA
Guo is not the first person of Chinese descent or of Chinese nationality to be suspected of working for China's interests amid continuing tension over the West Philippine Sea.
Guo is not the first person of Chinese descent or of Chinese nationality to be suspected of working for China's interests amid continuing tension over the West Philippine Sea.
Rappler, citing intelligence reports, reported in August that Philippine authorities were looking into Chinese national Zhang ‘Steve’ Song of Wenhui Daily newspaper for supposedly being an MSS agent.
Rappler, citing intelligence reports, reported in August that Philippine authorities were looking into Chinese national Zhang ‘Steve’ Song of Wenhui Daily newspaper for supposedly being an MSS agent.
Malaya said then that authorities were investigating the allegations against Song.
Malaya said then that authorities were investigating the allegations against Song.
Links to Chinese firms and funding have also been viewed with suspicion, with China-backed DITO Telecommunity's plan to put up cell towers in military camps raising concerns about security.
Links to Chinese firms and funding have also been viewed with suspicion, with China-backed DITO Telecommunity's plan to put up cell towers in military camps raising concerns about security.
"Iyan po ay importante para makapag-operate na po iyong ating pangatlong telecoms provider," Harry Roque, presidential spokesperson at the time, said then.
"Iyan po ay importante para makapag-operate na po iyong ating pangatlong telecoms provider," Harry Roque, presidential spokesperson at the time, said then.
(That is important to allow our third telecoms provider to operate)
(That is important to allow our third telecoms provider to operate)
Senators also raised questions in 2019 over State Grid Corp. of China’s control over the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the country’s only power transmission system, which they said could mean a shutdown of the system from Beijing. — from reports by Katrina Domingo, Jose Miguel Dumaual, Jeffrey Hernaez, Jauhn Etienne Villaruel ABS-CBN News
Senators also raised questions in 2019 over State Grid Corp. of China’s control over the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the country’s only power transmission system, which they said could mean a shutdown of the system from Beijing. — from reports by Katrina Domingo, Jose Miguel Dumaual, Jeffrey Hernaez, Jauhn Etienne Villaruel ABS-CBN News
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Alice Guo
She Zhijiang
National Security Council
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
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