Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo asked the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to conduct a fair investigation on the allegations against her which she called untrue and baseless.
Through her legal counsels, Guo submitted a letter to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, chairman of PAOCC, to explain her supposed involvement to the Baofu Land Development, Inc., and accusations of espionage, human trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering.
"It's simply a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary as the chairman of the PAOCC, just expressing the Mayor's intention that she is one with the Commission to uncover the truth and for justice to prevail," Atty. Lorelie M. Santos, one of Guo's lawyers, said after submitting the letter on Tuesday, June 18.
When asked if the mayor's intention in submitting the letter is to ask for a fair investigation, Santos said: "Yes, in summary that is our request."
In her letter, Guo stressed that there is no evidence that could prove her involvement in human trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering.
She further belied allegations of her directly involved in the operations of Baofu, reiterating that she has already divested all her interests in Baofu before being elected as Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac in 2022.
The mayor also denied links to any gaming operations.
"Bukod dito, wala akong direktang pakikilahok sa araw-araw na operasyon ng mga gaming operators, at ang mga desisyon ukol sa mga permit at lisensya ay saklaw ng ibang ahensya katulad ng PAGCOR (Aside from this, I have no direct involvement in a daily operations of gaming operators, and the decisions on permits and licenses are under other agencies like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), Guo said.
Guo's lawyers said the mayor is one with the commission "to investigate and prosecute criminal elements in the country and to enhance coordination between and among agencies engaged in the fight against criminality."
"For the past several weeks, our client has been the subject of investigation by the Senate and other government agencies. Unfortunately, the conduct of investigation has become conclusory and it would seem that a judgment without due process has already been rendered against her," Guo's camp said.
In her letter to Bersamin, she personally requested the PAOCC to conduct a thorough and fair investigation, expressing confidence that it will reveal that she has nothing to do with all the accusations against her.
"Bilang pahuli, ako ay magalang at buong pagkukumbabang humihiling sa sa kagalang-galang na opisina ng PAOCC na magsagawa ng isang masusi at walang kinikilingang imbestigasyon sa mga paratang na ito (Lastly, I am respectfully and humbly asking your esteemed office of PAOCC to conduct a thorough and fair investigation on all these allegations)," Guo wrote.
"Kumpiyansa ako na ang masusing pagsusuri sa mga katotohanan at impormasyon ay magpapatunay na wala akong kinalaman sa lahat ng akusasyon laban sa akin (I am confident that your thorough investigation for the truth and information will prove that I have nothing to do with the allegations against me)," she further stated.
"Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ako ay lubos na nakahandang makipagtulungan sa anumang proseso ng imbestigasyon at magbigay ng anumang kinakailangang dokumento o testimonya upang linisin ang aking pangalan (Despite all these, I am willing to cooperate in any process of the investigation and give necessary documents or testimonies to clear my name)," Guo concluded.
The PAOCC said on Saturday, June 15, that it is filing "serious" and "non-bailable" criminal charges on against Guo.