Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is accompanied by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos inside a room at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City shortly after her arrival on September 6, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763622552149172561585610320240906-alice guo-arrival-presscon-MT-2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is accompanied by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos inside a room at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City shortly after her arrival on September 6, 2024. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo&#x27;s conviction — for qualified human trafficking — should speed up passage of legislation against espionage, Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Rep. Leila De Lima, author of one of those bills, said Thursday.</p><p>The government has voided Guo&#x27;s birth certificate over questions on her true identity and nationality, as well as over allegations she is an asset of Beijing.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/20/pasig-court-finds-alice-guo-others-guilty-of-human-trafficking-over-tarlac-pogo-0938"><strong>Alice Guo found guilty of qualified human trafficking over Tarlac POGO<br/></strong></a></div><p>The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator compound in Bamban town also raised security concerns because of the suspected presence of Chinese nationals and other foreigners there.</p><p>In a statement, De Lima welcomed Guo&#x27;s conviction as a step towards justice for victims of human trafficking.</p><p>&quot;Relatedly, we are also calling for the urgent passage of our proposed Anti-Espionage Act,&quot; she also said.</p><p>&quot;As we know, espionage today is not limited to shadowy operatives meeting in alleys. It comes disguised as business investments, online gaming hubs, recruitment agencies, students, telecom partnerships, and even public officials.&quot; </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/30/-mission-nila-chinese-sleeper-agents-meant-to-gather-info-on-ph-politics-analyst-1606"><strong>‘Mission nila’: Chinese sleeper agents meant to gather info on PH politics — analyst</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>ANTI-ESPIONAGE BILL</strong></div><p>De Lima filed House Bill No. 1844 in July to revise provisions in the Revised Penal Code to impose heavier penalties and expand coverage.</p><p>Under her proposal, espionage can be done by entering, or having or helping someone enter, a military facility to get information, photographs related to national defense and security, military training, or equipment could be punishable with up to 20 years in prison and a fine of between P20 million to P30 million pesos.</p><p>Having this information because of one&#x27;s public office and disclosing it to a &quot;representative of a foreign nation, foreign national or to criminal syndicates&quot; to the detriment of the Philippines would also count as espionage.</p><p>Under the current definition, espionage only covers providing sensitive information &quot;to a representative of a foreign nation.&quot;</p><p>If the person found guilty of espionage is a government official or employee, they will be sentenced to the maximum penalty and will be disqualified from public service.</p><p>The bill also lays out penalties for aiding espionage and hiding or facilitating the escape of spies.</p><p>Under De Lima&#x27;s bill, the government will confiscate any property used in the commission of, or in furtherance of, espionage.</p>

<p>Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's conviction — for qualified human trafficking — should speed up passage of legislation against espionage, Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Rep. Leila De Lima, author of one of those bills, said Thursday.</p>

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo's conviction — for qualified human trafficking — should speed up passage of legislation against espionage, Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Rep. Leila De Lima, author of one of those bills, said Thursday.

Alice Guo’s conviction a reminder to tighten law vs espionage — De Lima

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Alice Guo’s conviction a reminder to tighten law vs espionage — De Lima

ABS-CBN News

Published November 20, 2025 03:15 PM PHT

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Updated November 20, 2025 03:53 PM PHT

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Alice Guo

Leila De Lima

Mamamayang Liberal

Espionage

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