• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Philippine mayor accused of acting as Chinese asset amid investigation, tensions
Economy

Philippine mayor accused of acting as Chinese asset amid investigation, tensions

by May 18, 2024
by May 18, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

A Philippine mayor faces accusations of acting as a Chinese asset amid a growing territorial dispute between the two countries. 

‘No one knows her. We wonder where she came from. That’s why we are investigating this, together with the Bureau of Immigration, because of the questions about her citizenship,’ Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos told reporters this week. 

Alice Guo, the 35-year-old mayor of Bamban, has found herself in the middle of a potential scandal over her origins and allegiances. She claimed to have grown up on a pig farm and had raised no concerns prior to a strange discovery made in her town this month, the BBC reported. 

Law enforcement discovered that an online casino by the name of Philippine Offshore Gambling Operator (Pogo) in Bamban actually served as a front for a ‘scam center,’ which had close to 700 workers — including over 200 Chinese nationals — who were posing as ‘online lovers.’

The raid on the site in March rescued all of those workers, who claimed they were forced to work for the owners. The center tried to con victims with a ‘pig butchering’ scam, in which a scammer adopted a fake identity to gain trust and then offered a romantic relationship to manipulate and steal from the victim. 

Guo found herself entangled in the incident when it came to light that she owned half the land where Pogo was located.

The nation’s Senate brought her into a hearing to testify, and she claimed she had sold the land before she ran for mayor two years earlier, along with assets that included a helicopter and a Ford Expedition, both registered under her name but allegedly sold off before her campaign, the South China Morning Press reported. 

Other irregularities raised concerns about her status. She only registered with the Commission on Elections to vote in Bamban one year before she ran and won as mayor. 

She also admitted she only registered her birth certificate with local authorities at the age of 17 and gave few details about her background other than she was born in a house and home-schooled in a family compound where they raised pigs. 

Senators accused Guo of providing ‘opaque’ answers to their questions about her background, leading one senator to ask if Guo was a Chinese asset. She fired back that she was ‘not a coddler, not a protector of Pogos.’

China and the Philippines have found themselves in renewed territorial disputes as Beijing tries to enforce control over waters around the Philippines, leading to clashes between Chinese Coast Guards and Filipino fishermen. 

Last year saw a series of near clashes between the two coast guards near the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine authorities protested China’s use of a water cannon and military-grade lasers. 

China established a claim to the Scarborough Shoal in 2012, after which the Philippines formally launched a protest that went before a United Nations-backed tribunal. A 2016 ruling went against China, rejecting Beijing’s claims on ‘historical grounds,’ but Beijing rejected the arbitration and its outcome. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Julian Assange supporters demand charges be dropped in vigil outside Merrick Garland’s home
  • Marjorie Taylor Greene’s red line on Speaker Johnson
  • Oregon Legislature authorizes urban growth expansion for chipmakers
  • International Criminal Court: 20 years, billions spent, limited success as US considers sanctions
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
London mayor urges foreign leaders to condemn Trump as racist, sexist, homophobic
next post
In Israel visit, Stefanik to tout Trump’s record on Jewish state, reject Biden policies: ‘No excuse’

You may also like

Biden lets American military info slip during live interview, sparking...

July 10, 2023

Wisconsin Assembly votes to mandate police in high-risk schools

March 15, 2023

S&P 500 and Nasdaq close to erasing last week’s losses

September 13, 2024

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Crunch Week on the Debt Ceiling

May 22, 2023

Israel releases image of eliminated Hamas figures enjoying meal, other...

December 6, 2023

Vivek Ramaswamy sounds off on potential RFK Jr. role in...

August 23, 2024

Ohio lawmaker arrested on domestic violence charge

July 12, 2023

Blinken meets with Turkey’s Erdogan as Middle East tensions escalate

January 7, 2024

Kamala Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff admits to extramarital affair that...

August 4, 2024

Public cost of Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’ more than doubled in...

May 30, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Israel withholding visas for UN officials...

    October 26, 2023

    South Bend, Indiana abortion clinic closes,...

    June 7, 2023

    Guts Stock Overview: Latest Trends and...

    October 4, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here