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Money laundering raps vs Alice Guo, 35 others
By J.Lo
“Following circumstances would show grand conspiracy between and among incorporators, officers and other individuals involved in commission of unlawful activities, such as qualified trafficking in persons, violation of Securities Regulations Code and swindling or estafa and, in turn, money laundering,” complaints for 87 counts of money laundering amounting to P7 billion were filed against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, her purported sister Shiela, business partner Cassandra Li Ong and 33 others.
Complaint was filed by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and National Bureau of Investigation before Department of Justice (DOJ) .
Other respondents include sisters’ father Jian Zhong Guo, also known as Angelito Guo and Angelito dela Cruz; their mother Lin Wenyi, also known as Wen Yi Lin; Seimen Guo, Amelia Leal and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan.
According to AMLC deputy director Adrian Arpon, they found Alice Guo to be “ principal in money laundering committed,” using several entities in transferring money.
Ultimately, money ended up with real estate company Baofu Land Corp., where Guo was shareholder and leased property to Hongsheng/Zun Yuan Technology, Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) raided in Bamban over human trafficking and other alleged crimes.
In 105-page complaint, agencies alleged respondents collaborated in committing various crimes and other illegal activities and each of them played significant role in illegal POGO operations.
It also said dozen businesses under Guo’s name were aimed to hide true nature of their businesses and make it appear they are engaged in legitimate activities.
“Alice Guo and her cohorts intended to create layers and layers of corporations to make it appear they were engaged in profitable and legitimate businesses, but in fact, they are not,” complaint read.
Complainants also said Guo never divested all of her shares in Baofu. She did not declare 12 vehicles in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
Guo, as representative of Hongsheng, also allegedly facilitated issuance of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution , did not object to Hongsheng’s application to operate.
Moreover, she paid bills of Baofu, Hongsheng and Zun Yuan despite lease contracts stipulating that lessees should shoulder bills.
Meanwhile, Ong was included in money laundering complaint as “silent partner” in Bamban POGO as she was allegedly contributed construction of Baofu compound.
Ong is one of the incorporators of Whirlwind Corp. leased property to POGO in Porac, Pampanga.
Company was also raided for various illicit activities, including human trafficking, forced labor and scams.
She has also been identified as liaison between former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Lucky South 99, where she served as legal officer.
“Circumstances indicate respondent Cassandra Li Ong employs same scheme or pattern of illegal corporate layering as that used by Alice Guo and her family,” complaint read.
Meanwhile, Shiela Guo was named as one of the respondents for allegedly being incorporator in many corporations of the Guo family.
According to PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio, scamming proceeds from Lucky South 99, POGO in Porac, were used to build POGO hub in Bamban.
In complaint, complainants said “overly impossible” for Baofu to afford construction of buildings it leased to Zun Yuan and Hongsheng, worth hundreds of millions or even billions.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said they believe they have “very strong and airtight case.”
“Of course, there will be due process afforded for all of these respondents for them to be given their opportunity to explain their side,” he said.
AMLC’s investigation showed Guo and her accomplices amassed over P101 million in illicit proceeds between June 2020 and January 2024. Funds , initially intended for Baofu’s electricity bills, were systematically laundered through illegal means.
“Money laundering case is part of series of cases to be filed by AMLC, in coordination with partner agencies, to ensure Philippines shall not be used as money laundering site for proceeds of any unlawful activities,” AMLC said.
Meanwhile, freeze order issued by Court of Appeals against Guo and two others has been extended until January 2025, according to Arpon.
In July, appellate court ordered freezing of bank accounts and personal assets of Guo, Zhiyang Huang and Baoying Lin for alleged involvement in illegal activities.
AMLC said freeze order covered 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, several real estate properties and high-value personal properties like luxury vehicles and helicopter.
Lawyer of Guo belied allegations he made “untruthful statements” regarding embattled official’s whereabouts.
Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David was only relying on what Guo told him: that she was still in the country, even as Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier revealed beleaguered mayor had fled as early as July.
“I was merely echoing her declaration that she is still in the country,” he said.
David, however, admitted that he could not confirm information and had no idea where she was exactly.
He also explained that when he made pronouncements, Guo had no travel records such as stamps of entry in another country, fingerprints or CCTV footage, giving him no reason to doubt dismissed mayor’s statements.
He added notarization of Guo’s counter-affidavit further bolstered his belief that his client was still in the country, expressing confidence in integrity of Elmer Galicia, notary public who notarized counter-affidavit.
David issued statement after officials said cases might be filed against him because of his statements.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said DOJ will look into possible involvement of Guo’s legal counsel in her exit from the country.
DOJ is also seeking to investigate Galicia for notarizing Guo’s counter-affidavit even though she did not personally appear to swear before him.
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