Latest news with #POGO
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI says Manila court ruling 'further cements legal basis' vs Alice Guo
Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, attends a Senate hearing on September 9, 2024. REUTERS/ Eloisa Lopez The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday hailed as "a major win for the national government" the ruling of a Manila court that voided the mayorship of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, whom the tribunal deemed as "undoubtedly Chinese." BI Commissioner Joel Viado welcomed the decision of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34, saying it affirmed the immigration findings that Alice Guo and Chinese national Guo Ha Ping are the same person. "This case reveals how a foreign national was able to penetrate public office using false documents and a fabricated identity," said Viado in a press statement. "The Bureau has long initiated deportation proceedings against Guo. This court decision further cements our legal basis and supports the government's ongoing efforts to protect our borders and institutions," he said. In a 67-page decision dated June 27, 2025, Judge Liwliwa S. Hidalgo-Bucu of the Manila RTC Branch 34 granted the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General against Guo. The ruling stated that Guo and her parents arrived in the Philippines from Fujian, China, with Chinese passports on July 12, 1999. It added that Guo's Philippine passport is not considered "conclusive proof of citizenship," just like her birth certificate. "This case highlights the dangers of foreign infiltration and how it can threaten national security from within. It is our duty at the Bureau of Immigration to detect, deter, and remove foreign nationals who misrepresent themselves to gain access to positions of power," said Viado. Guo's arrest came after she faced several accusations, including having a fake identity, being a Chinese spy and involvement in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) syndicate. She claimed she was a Filipino citizen and denied her involvement in illegal POGO operations. In August 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Guo for grave misconduct. For faster deportation Meanwhile, the BI and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the faster deportation of illegal foreign POGO workers in the country. Under the MOA, Pagcor will provide the BI with a P50-million grant, to be released in two equal tranches, for the deportation of illegal foreign POGO workers physically held at the Bureau's Warden Facility and Protection Unit (BIWFPU). "We thank PAGCOR for their active support, which will greatly boost our efforts in clearing the country of undocumented and overstaying aliens, especially those connected to illegal online operations," said Viado. "This grant affirms the whole-of-government approach in addressing threats to national security, while protecting our borders from transnational criminal elements," he said. Last month, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said over 9,000 former POGO workers remain at large in the Philippines. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
‘Undoubtedly Chinese': Manila court voids Alice Guo's mayorship
Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, attends a Senate hearing on September 9, 2024. REUTERS/ Eloisa Lopez A Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) has ruled that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is 'undoubtedly Chinese' and deemed her mayorship 'void.' In a 67-page quo warranto decision, Judge Liwliwa S. Hidalgo-Bucu of the Manila RTC Branch 34 stated that Guo Hua Ping and Alice Guo are one and the same person. During a Senate inquiry, Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that the National Bureau of Investigation found that Guo Hua Ping and Alice Guo have the same fingerprints, but their relation with one another was denied by the dismissed Bamban mayor's legal counsel. Respondent Guo Hua Ping is undoubtedly a Chinese citizen, born to Chinese parents, namely Guo Jian Zhong and Lin Wenyi. She and her parents are holders of Chinese passports,' the decision read. It further explained that Guo's Philippine passport is not considered a 'conclusive proof of citizenship,' just like her birth certificate. 'The Certificate of Live Birth of Alice Leal Guo contains dubious entries, which are not supported by concrete and credible evidence,' the decision read. Guo's arrest came after she faced several accusations, including having a fake identity, being a Chinese spy and being involved in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) syndicate. She claimed she was a Filipino citizen and denied her involvement in illegal POGO operations. With the court's decision on Guo's citizenship, it not only concluded that she is disqualified to hold the position as Bamban mayor but is also prevented from running for the said position in the first place. 'Guo is nothing more but a usurper of the Office of the Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac. The fact that she won the election and has already assumed office is of no moment as it did not cure her disqualification of lack of Philippine citizenship,' the decision read. 'Her disqualification was already existing at the time of the filing of her Certificate of Candidacy. It follows, therefore, that her proclamation was deemed void,' it added. In August 2024, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Guo for grave misconduct. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
'24 Oras' special reports on POGO win silver at US International Awards
GMA Integrated News' flagship program "24 Oras" has been honored with a Silver Award at the prestigious US International Awards for its in-depth and comprehensive reporting on the impact of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. According to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the winning reports were recognized in the "Documentaries & Reports - Social Issues" category. The special reports, which aired in December and January, delved into the dark and bloody world of POGO and exposed issues ranging from syndicates involved in various forms of fraud to human trafficking incidents and even cases of torture. In addition to "24 Oras," "Unang Balita" was also recognized as a finalist in the "Documentaries & Reports - Environment, Ecology & Sustainability" category for its report titled "Pinsala ng El Niño." The US International Awards celebrate the finest branded video productions and documentaries from around the globe. In 2015, it also awarded "24 Oras" a Silver Screen Award for its special coverage of Typhoon Mario. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- GMA Network
Over 5,000 arrested for cybercrimes in 1st half of 2025, says PNP
More than 5,000 persons linked to various online crimes were arrested in the first half of 2025, according to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) on Thursday. Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said the number of arrests is a reflection of the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and the intensified efforts of authorities to clamp down on scams, fraud, and identity theft across digital platforms. 'For this 2025 from January to June, mid-June, we have already arrested 5,099 (persons) on various offenses online. We can call these cybercrime cases,' he said during a Bagong Pilipinas public briefing . According to Yang, most of the suspects who were nabbed for online scams fall within the 20 to 30 years old age bracket, unemployed and are predominantly men. POGO links Yang revealed that a significant number of suspects were found to have previously worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), with some taking part in cybercriminal activities after the closure of many POGO firms as a result of the nationwide ban. 'Mostly ay mga dating nagtrabaho... dating security guard, yung iba former employee of POGOs… dahil nag-stop yung POGO operation sa Pilipinas, nagsagawa sila ng kanilang racket ng online scams,' he said. (Most are former POGO workers—some were security guards, others ex-POGO employees—who turned to online scams after POGO operations ceased in the Philippines.) Authorities also observed the widespread misuse of SIM cards in these scam operations, with several suspects having over 100 pre-registered SIMs when they were arrested. 'Mayroon siyang dala na registered SIM cards na kung minsan sobra pa sa isang daan... bakit mayroon isang individual nakakapag parehistro ng maraming SIM cards?', said Yang. (One person we apprehended in an entrapment operation had over a hundred registered SIM cards... which raises the question of how a single person can register that many cards?) Coordination, legislation The PNP-ACG is now working closely with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to investigate and block suspicious SIM cards and numbers used in cybercrime activities. 'I-report po namin ito sa NTC para ma-block na po yung numbers na iyon,' Yang said. (We report these cases to the NTC so those numbers can be blocked.) Yang also recommended tighter enforcement of the SIM Registration Act by placing a cap on the number of SIMs a person can own. 'We recommend na sana hindi marami yung i-register ng isang tao. Marami na po siguro yung 10,' he added. (We recommend limiting the number of SIM cards a person can register. Perhaps a maximum of 10.) The PNP is also pushing for stricter regulation of social media platforms under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and for these companies to establish physical offices in the Philippines. Increasing fake PSA calls and e-wallet thefts Yang confirmed the PNP has also received reports of phone calls where scammers impersonating representatvies from government agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority attempt to steal information tied to national ID details or e-wallet accounts. 'Habang kausap itong tao... nababawasan na yung laman ng kanyang e-wallet,' he said. (While the victims are still on the call, their e-wallets are already being drained.) The PNP official stressed the importance of identifying and prosecuting the people behind these scams, in addition to blocking their numbers. 'Kami po ay nag-file na lang ng kaso pag nag-identify natin kung sino sa likod... i-re-report namin talaga sa NTC,' Yang said. (We file charges once we identify those behind these scams and report the phone numbers to the NTC.) Not even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was spared after Yang also addressed recent concerns of a video generated by artificial intelligence that is circulating in social media showing the Chief Executive endorsing online investment platforms. 'When I received that video... we coordinated with the social media platform... we requested for the takedown of that video,' he said. Warning to the public With the rise of cybercrime scams, Yang urged the public to remain vigilant, to avoid giving personal information and account access to strangers, and to verify the source of suspicious communications. In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Yang said the PNP-ACG will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to curb cybercrime. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Pinoy spouses, children say goodbye to deported Chinese POGO workers
Filipino spouses and children bid farewell to Chinese loved ones who are Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers being deported back to China. In Saleema Refran's Tuesday report on '24 Oras,' alias 'Jacque' expressed worry for the Chinese father of her six-month-old baby. She said she plans to follow her partner to China. But for other Filipinos, it may be the last time they will see their Chinese loved ones. 'Bigyan po sila ng chance kung wala naman pong case na kasangkot ng mga iligal ganun. Pagbigyan po na mapalaya po,' alias 'Marie' said. (Give them a chance if they are not involved in illegal activities. I hope they will be freed.) At least 100 Chinese citizens are being deported to Shanghai, China. They were nabbed during the anti-POGO operation in scam hubs in Cebu, Cavite, Parañaque, and Pasay. The Chinese government paid for their fare to China without any layovers. 'Importante ito sa kanila dahil marami silang nakukuhang impormasyon dito sa bosses especially kung paano sila nag ooperate, saan sila nag ooperate at anu-anong mga sistema sa money laundering,' Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) executive director Gilbert Cruz. (This is important to them since they get information about the bosses, especially on how and where they operate, and their system in money laundering.) Once the deported POGO workers return to China, they will undergo a thorough investigation since some were allegedly involved in large-scale crimes, where many fell victim to different scam hubs allegedly from the Philippines. These cases involved cybercrime, scamming, fraud, and money laundering. 'Ang pinag-uusapan natin dito, billions of dollars. Yung isang na-turn over natin na wanted person sa kanila, umaabot sa P900 billion ang kanyang nakulimbat o na money launder doon sa kanilang bansa,' Cruz said. (We're talking about billions of dollars. One person we turned over is a wanted person for a money laundering case in their country, which amounted to P900 billion.) The PAOCC said since the crackdown on POGO hubs was launched in 2023, about 4,000 people were arrested of whom 2,500 are foreigners deported to their respective countries. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration said it has fixed the delay in the other arrested POGO workers' deportation process. 'Ang main difficulty na lang natin ngayon hindi na yung NBI clearance. Dati kasi medjo ilang buwan pa yung binibilang, ngayon isang araw na lang. Ang magiging challenge ngayon, yung kanilang pasaporte,' BI spokersperson Dana Sandoval said. (The main difficulty we're facing right now is not the NBI clearance. Before, it was being processed for months, but now, it can be processed in one day. Our current challenge is their passports.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News
