Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros welcomed the preventive suspension of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

This after the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) ordered the preventive suspension of Guo and two other town officials because there is strong evidence of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service and gross neglect of duty.

“Dapat lang. Nung unang bisita pa lang namin sa ni-raid na POGO sa Bamban, Tarlac, ipinanawagan ko na ang preventive suspension laban kay Mayor Alice Guo,” said the Senator in a statement.

The authorities earlier raided the Baofu compound where the POGO firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. is located following complaints of human trafficking and serious detention.

“We also received information that she tried to obstruct the ongoing investigation immediately after the POGO was raided. This should have already warranted a suspension. We only hope this is not too late,” said the Senator.

“Mayor Guo also undoubtedly has ties with POGO. Kahit ilang beses pa siyang magsinungaling, kahit ilang beses pa niyang hindi maalala, dokumentado ang koneksyon niya sa POGO. POGO na puro scams, krimen, at human trafficking ang dala sa bansa.”

Senator Hontiveros reminded the public that the POGO was raided because of alleged involvement in hacking and surveillance and that the Senate Committee on Women and Children will hold an executive session to hear more information about Guo’s identity from intelligence officials.

“I look forward to our Executive Session soon. Inaasahan ko na mas lalong maliliwanagan tayo sa totoong papel ni Alice Guo hindi lang sa mga POGO, kundi pati sa mga banta sa ating pambansang seguridad,” said the Senator.