The National Security Council (NSC) yesterday said it was validating the claim of a self-confessed Chinese spy that former mayor Alice Guo is also a Chinese operative.
In an Al Jazeera documentary shown at the House quad committee hearing on Friday, tycoon She Zhijiang claimed to be a former spy for China’s Ministry of State Security.
He said he and Guo Hua Ping — the alleged Chinese name of Alice Guo — dedicated their lives to China’s intelligence agency and urged the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor to “tell the world the truth” if she does not want to be “eliminated.”
“We will have to consult with our partner agencies abroad to find out the truth and the real personality of Alice Guo, if she is really an agent of the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.
“We have to validate the information disclosed by She Zhijiang because he is a wanted criminal of China,” he told state television PTV.
Malaya noted that the Chinese-Cambodian man is wanted in China for his involvement in gambling operations.
“He is fighting extradition charges to China,” the NSC spokesperson said.
Malaya described She’s story as something “fresh from the pages of a spy novel.”
Despite this, the Philippines is looking into She’s allegations as Guo’s possible involvement in the espionage would have “big implications” in the country’s national security, he said.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. yesterday called on Congress to amend the espionage law.
“We should punish espionage in times of peace because the espionage law in the Philippines is effective only in times of war,” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“So it’s also a call to action, our legislators know that they can immediately amend the espionage law so the government can act and punish them,” he said.
While Guo has not been proven to be a spy, Teodoro noted that her role as an “active co-conspirator in a massive illegal criminal enterprise” was damaging to the country.
“It is curious that a 32-building complex was operating within two minutes flying time away from the Tradoc and the Light Armor division. And you know, all the authorities should have been aware of this at that time, particularly the local authorities,” he said.
Teodoro urged local government units to be cautious in approving the establishment of businesses and to watch for certain red flags, such as the large employment of foreigners.
