Philippines Sentences 'Chinese Spy Mayor' Alice Guo to Life in Jail

A former mayor in the Philippines, Alice Guo, has been sentenced to life in prison and fined 2 million pesos ($33,832) for her involvement in a large human trafficking and scam operation. Guo, who was previously accused of spying for China, was found guilty on Thursday along with three others in connection with one of the country’s largest scam centres. Authorities rescued around 800 Filipinos and foreigners from the compound, many of whom said they were forced to run “pig butchering” online scams targeting victims abroad.

Alice Guo, 35, was elected mayor of Bamban, a small town north of Manila, in 2022. Initially seen as a caring and empathetic leader by residents, her reputation collapsed after a sprawling scam centre was discovered in 2024. The scam hub operated under the cover of Philippine Online Gaming Operations (Pogo), catering to clients in China where gambling is illegal. The centre covered eight hectares and included 36 buildings, some of which were built on land previously owned by Guo herself.

Investigations revealed significant discrepancies in Guo’s personal background. She had claimed to be born in the Philippines, but records showed she migrated from China as a teenager. Fingerprint analysis matched her to a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping. After the scandal broke, she was removed from office and disappeared in July 2024, sparking an international search across four countries. She was arrested in Indonesia in September 2024 and extradited to the Philippines, with her Philippine passport subsequently cancelled.

The court’s ruling imposes life imprisonment on Guo and three co-accused, along with a hefty fine. There are still five ongoing cases against her, including charges of money laundering. Guo has denied all allegations and it remains unclear if she will appeal the sentence.

Her case has drawn attention amid ongoing tensions between the Philippines and China over disputes in the South China Sea. While Guo faced legal consequences, China has remained silent regarding the accusations of espionage and the scam operation linked to its nationals. The case highlights growing concerns over online fraud, human trafficking, and the role of foreign nationals in criminal operations in the Philippines.

This ruling marks a significant step in holding individuals accountable for large-scale cybercrime and human trafficking networks in the region and underscores the Philippines’ commitment to cracking down on online scams targeting vulnerable populations both domestically and abroad.