Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, October 8, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — After 15 hearings, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is poised to finish its investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and former Mayor Alice Guo.

Committee Chair Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Thursday that they would have one last hearing in the coming weeks to wrap things up.

One thing they wanted to look into is the possible culpability of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group in allowing Mary Ann Maslog to mediate the surrender of Guo, and for letting her enter the PNP Custodial Center twice to talk to the dismissed official.

Maslog is being linked to the 1998 textbook scam. She supposedly faked her death to avoid being charged and is now using the name Jessica Francisco.

In the October 8 hearing, former Intelligence Group Officer-in-Charge Brigadier General Romeo Macapaz said he trusted Maslog whom he has known since 2022.

This did not sit well with Hontiveros.

“Common sense mula sa isang mamamayan, hindi po acceptable ‘yung ganon…Kasi kaduda-duda ‘yung taong ‘yun.” Hontiveros said in a press conference on Thursday. “We're looking into their possible liability.”  

ABS-CBN is still trying to get the side of Macapaz who is set to be invited to the last Senate hearing.

Maslog, who is in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation, will also be invited.

“Inimbita namin siya bilang resource person dahil soon or right after siya inaresto ng NBI, lumitaw sa sarili niyang mga statements na kilala daw niya si Guo Hua Ping, kilala daw niya si Mayor Calugay,” Hontiveros said. “Hindi talaga kapani-paniwala ‘yung mga pinagsasabi niya.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian called Maslog a “professional con artist” in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

“Ginagawa lang niya ito para makakuha ng atensyon,” he said.

• Malalimang imbestigasyon kay textbook scam suspect Mary Ann Maslog isinusulong

“Ang mas dapat ipatawag siguro...‘yung mga intelligence officers natin na bakit pa siya pinaniniwalaan? Bakit pa siya ginagamit?” added Senate President Francis Escudero. 

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa had asked whether someone ordered Maslog to have Guo sign an affidavit implicating him, former President Rodrigo Duterte and others. Escudero said he believed this question was warranted.

• Fuming Bato confronts Mary Ann Maslog: You tried to convince Alice Guo to implicate me, Duterte

“May karapatan si Senator Bato na tanungin ‘yung mga nais niyang ipukol na katanungan sa kanila base sa impormasyon na nakuha o binigay sa kanya,” Escudero said. 

CHINESE SPY?

As to whether Guo is a Chinese spy, Escudero said it was up to the court to decide since the allegation was only based on a statement from a foreigner imprisoned in Thailand.

In an Al Jazeera documentary, Chinese businessman turned self-confessed spy She Zhijiang said Guo was also a spy. 

• Wang: Ex-Bamban mayor Guo is a Chinese spy

Hontiveros’ office tried to get in touch with She but they were not given access to him.

“Isa ‘yun sa dapat i-pursue ng authorities, di na siguro trabaho ng Senado pa ‘yan na ipatawag o magpadala ng team doon. Pangalawa, kaya nga nais muling tignan ng DND ang ating Anti-Espionage Act dahil sa totoo lang wala yatang batas, kung di ako nagkakamali, na nagpaparusa sa isang spy,” Escudero said. 

Hontiveros added that they would no longer give Guo an executive session or closed-door meeting.

During their October 8 executive session, Guo supposedly told senators some Chinese names alleged to be POGO masterminds, and Filipino names who helped her escape.

“Hindi pa rin completely worth it. Hindi pa rin sulit na sulit. Dahil wala rin masyadong maraming bago. May ilan na mga kapirasong sinusubukan pa naming i-follow up in open hearing,” Hontiveros said.  

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