Philippines captures Chinese spy mayor in bold arrest

An ex-mayor from the Philippines, who had been evading authorities for several weeks following allegations of espionage on behalf of China, has been apprehended in Indonesia.

Alice Guo has been the subject of a cross-border pursuit by Philippine authorities after she vanished in July.

The investigation into her suspected criminal activities has led authorities to track her across four countries.

In the quiet, pig-farming town of Bamban, a shocking accusation has been made against her.

It is alleged that she was involved in protecting online casinos that served as a cover for scam centers and human trafficking syndicates.

Ms Guo vehemently denies the allegations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced that she would return to the Philippines as early as Wednesday.

According to her, she was raised on the family farm by her Chinese father and Filipina mother during the investigation into the scam center operations.

MPs claimed that her fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping.

They accused her of being a spy who provided cover for criminal gangs.

Her case has captivated the nation and garnered global interest, as her sister was subsequently arrested and interrogated by the Philippine Senate.

The ongoing dispute between the Philippines and China over reefs and outcrops in the South China Sea has provided the backdrop for the unfolding of Ms Guo's case.

China has remained silent regarding the accusations made against her.

According to authorities, it is believed that Ms Guo managed to evade border checks in July and embarked on a journey involving multiple boats.

She crossed into Malaysia and Singapore before eventually reaching Indonesia, where she was apprehended on Tuesday near the western border of Jakarta.

In a statement, Mr Marcos emphasized that the arrest serves as a stern warning to individuals who try to evade the reach of justice.

His endeavor is ultimately pointless. He warned on Facebook that the long arm of the law would eventually catch up to him.

When Ms. Guo was arrested, photographs captured her in light pink pajamas and a white coat.

Accused fraud in a peaceful town

Ms Guo gained national attention when authorities discovered a large-scale scam center in Bamban operating under the guise of online casinos, commonly called Philippine Online Gaming Operations (Pogo).

Pogos primarily serves clients in the Chinese mainland, where gambling is prohibited by law.

Ms Guo's case provided evidence supporting the long-held suspicions that Pogos were being utilized as a cover for organized crime.

As a result of public outrage, Mr. Marcos took decisive action and banned them.

During his predecessor's tenure, Rodrigo Duterte, Pogos experienced significant growth, with his presidency being characterized by strong relations with China.

Since taking office in 2022, Mr. Marcos has significantly shifted the country's foreign policy and taken decisive action against crimes associated with Pogo.

In a recent raid conducted in Ms. Guo's town, law enforcement authorities successfully rescued nearly 700 individuals working in a scam center.

Among those rescued were 202 Chinese nationals and 73 other foreigners who had been coerced into pretending to be online romantic partners.

An investigation conducted by the Senate focused on her failure to detect the fraudulent operation, which was situated near her office, despite its significant size of eight hectares.

During the hearing, senators extensively questioned her background and family history. In a surprising turn of events, she secured the position of mayor in her first attempt at public office, a feat rarely achieved in regions dominated by long-standing political dynasties.

Some senators accused Ms. Guo of being a Chinese "asset" or spy due to her evasive responses regarding her roots.

In a recent television interview, she revealed a surprising aspect of her life. She explained that her low profile can be attributed to her unique family situation - being her father's illegitimate child with her mother, who also happens to be his maid.

According to her, living on the family farm confined her to a sheltered existence until she assumed the role of mayor in Bamban.

However, despite the ongoing controversy, the situation escalated when she declined to attend further hearings, leading senators to issue an arrest order in July. But by then, she had disappeared from the public eye.

Shortly after that, she was ousted from her position by an anti-corruption organization.

Filipino authorities said she left the country in August without notice and traveled through Singapore and Malaysia before reaching Indonesia.

According to a government official, she might be approaching the Golden Triangle. This area, located in mainland Southeast Asia, is notorious for being a favored refuge for various organized crime syndicates.

After her Philippine passport was canceled, Mr. Marcos expressed anger and warned there would be consequences.

In his statement, he emphasized the significance of Ms Guo's escape, highlighting how it exposed the corruption that plagues our justice system and erodes the public's trust.