Can Alice Guo be a state witness? DOJ says no discussions at the moment
Can dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo become a state witness against the mastermind of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in the country?
Guo made an appearance before the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on Sept. 9, her first since her arrest in Indonesia.
During the hearing, the dismissed mayor was cited in contempt anew for her repeated refusal to answer questions amid supposed death threats, leading senators to lose their patience.
Additionally, the idea of making Guo a state witness was floated during the Sept. 9 session.
"I came across a news article this morning regarding the possibility of Alice Guo as state witness: It is possible if it leads to POGO mastermind. I do believe also si Miss Alice Guo is just a pawn of a web of international syndicate," Sen. JV Ejercito said.
Department of Justice Usec. Nicholas Felix Ty said that currently, there are no discussions to make Guo a state witness.
"Sa witness protection law natin, maraming requirements para maging state witness. Isa na doon ay di siya ang most guilty. Kailangan makabuluhan 'yung sinasabi niya, magagamit sa ibang kaso, ma-co-corroberate ng ibang witness," Ty stated.
"Tapos dadaan pa 'to sa mahaba-habang proseso. Kailangan siya ma-charge sa korte, kailangan makumbinse kami na ihiling sa korte na i-discharge siya as state witness at kailangan may pahintulot din ng korte. Hindi po basta-basta 'yon. Sa ngayon po, klaro, walang ganoong usapin."
Ejercito then asked Guo if she would name those involved in setting up POGOs in the country to which she refused to answer "for her security."
DOJ Asec. and spokesperson Mico Clavano earlier said that Guo could be considered to be a state witness if investigations reveal an individual more guilty than the former mayor.
Guo's alleged POGO ties
Guo, her alleged siblings Shiela and Wesley, as well as Cassandra Li Ong, her alleged cohort who has ties to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator Lucky South 99, left the Philippines in the middle of a Senate probe on the alleged illegal operations of POGO hubs.
Shiela and Ong were previously under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation. They were apprehended in Batam City in Indonesia on Aug. 20 and were brought back to the Philippines on Aug. 22.
Meanwhile, the dismissed mayor was arrested in Tangerang City in Indonesia on Sept. 4 and deported to the Philippines a day later.
She also faces money laundering charges, a tax evasion case, and a human trafficking complaint, among others.