Alice Guo Grilled Again: Suspected Criminal Ties and Great Escape

Former town mayor Alice Guo was held in contempt for a second time after evading senators' questions regarding her alleged links to Chinese criminal syndicates and her escape from the country. Arrested in Indonesia, she denies any criminal involvement, claiming fear for her life. Senators accuse her of lying about her identity.

Former Philippine town mayor Alice Guo found herself in hot water again on Monday, held in contempt for the second time by senators probing her suspected ties to Chinese criminal syndicates. Guo has notably evaded questions about her dramatic escape from the country two months ago.

The 38-year-old ex-mayor of Bamban was captured in Indonesia last week, disguised with a short haircut and accompanied by a Chinese monk. Despite being deported back to the Philippines, she denied any criminal links in her appearances, citing threats to her life.

While donning a bulletproof vest at a Senate investigative panel, Guo remained evasive, attributing her silence to death threats and ongoing criminal proceedings. Senators accused her of lying, showing evidence of her real identity as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.

Previously cited in contempt in July, Guo had left the Philippines for Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Removed from office by the Ombudsman for grave misconduct, she now faces graft and money laundering charges.

Senators on Monday accused her of lying about her nationality amidst evidence obtained by the National Bureau of Investigation. The investigation launched in May followed a casino raid uncovering what appeared to be scams conducted from a facility on her land. The controversy has caught national attention amid heightened tensions over China's activities in the South China Sea.

(With inputs from agencies.)