‘Victim’ Alice Guo willing to name POGO ‘most guilty’

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, who has been linked to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations and POGO-related crimes, claims she is a victim rather than a mastermind.

And she is willing to name, in executive session, the “most guilty” in POGO operations.

During yesterday’s continuation of the public hearing of the Senate committee on women, children and family affairs presided over by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito asked Guo whether she was willing to divulge the identities of other big bosses in the POGOs.

“We will have an executive session before we wrap up. You are tired – 12 hours (hearing in) Congress, here (in the Senate) for a few hours. Maybe you already feel sorry for yourself, but we should also feel sorry for the victims of POGOs. Are you a mastermind and are you willing to talk about who is behind these operations?” Ejercito asked Guo.

Wearing a black face mask, Guo replied, “I’m not a mastermind. You can say I’m a victim.”

Ejercito further pressed, “So you are a victim, a pawn or being used by an international criminal syndicate?”

Guo replied: “It’s not I was used. If ever, I helped, it’s because I am a helpful person. If there is anything, that’s it. But the activities that were done or the allegations, I have nothing to do with it.”

Ejercito further asked, “Are you guilty or most guilty or do you think there are others who are more guilty?”

“I am not guilty,” Guo maintained. “I think that during the investigation, the committee already knows, especially chaired by our madam chair, who is at the back of everything.”

Ejercito reminded Guo that “she still has a chance to say. We also feel sorry for the victims of POGOs. In the executive session, we can’t release it to the public, we understand that you are afraid. We understand, to reduce your guilt, are you willing to say who is the most guilty?”

Guo replied, “Yes po.”

“I am expecting Miss Alice Guo will divulge who is the masterminds of the international criminal syndicate, we will be responsible for her safety,” Ejercito noted.

The executive session continued into the night.

POGO executives were allegedly paid by Guo to keep silent about their