MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday said it was validating the claim of a detained tycoon that former mayor Alice Guo is a Chinese spy.

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."

“Pinag-aaralan ng NSC ngayon because of its security implications… We will have to consult with our partner agencies abroad para mapagtagpi-tagpi natin at mahanap natin ang tunay na dahilan at tunay na personality ni Alice Guo, if she is really an agent of the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” said NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya.

“Kailangan po namin ito suriin, i-validate itong mga impormasyong  nilabas ni She Zhijiang dahil he is a wanted criminal by the China,” he told state television PTV.

She’s statement cannot be taken at face value because it may be laced with ulterior motives, Malaya said, noting that the Chinese-Cambodian man is wanted in China for his involvement gambling operations.

“Siya ay nakakulong sa Bangkok upon the request of the Chinese government. He is fighting extradition charges going to China,” Malaya said.

“Importante din sa kaniya na ma-internationalize itong issue na ito… para magkaroon ng simpatiya sa kaniya ang mundo para hindi na siya ma-extradite,” he said.

“We have to be very careful in determining kung yung mga sinasabi niya ay totoo ba o nandadawit lang siya ng iba to draw attention to his situation kasi nga nakakulong siya ngayon, and he is fighting for his freedom,” he added.

Malaya described She’s story to Al Jazeera as something “fresh from the pages of a spy novel.”

“Kung napanood mo yung Mission Impossible movies, ang isang plot doon ay may listahan ng mga agents, yung long list na nawawala… parang ganoon din ito because She Zhijiang thinks na  mayroon siyang dossier, listahan ng MSS agents ng China sa Asia,” he said.

“This is really straight from the pages of a spy movie… teleserye talaga itong balitang ito,” he said.

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, Malaya said.

“Kung lalabas sa imbestigasyon natin na siya nga ay spy of the ministry of security of PRC which is like the CIA or MI6, malaki ang implication nito because ibig sabihin may mga ganitong nangyayaring operasyon ang PRC sa ating bansa,” he said.

“May mga ginagamit silang tao para mahalal sa mga posisyon,” the NSC official said.

‘PUNISH ESPIONAGE’ 

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Monday called on Congress to amend the espionage law to punish spies. 

“Parusahan natin ang espionage sa panahon ng peace kasi ang espionage law sa Pilipinas ay epektibo lamang during times of war,” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. 

“So, call to action din, alam naman na ng ating mga mambabatas, na agaran nilang amiyendahan ‘yong espionage law para maparusahan at makakilos ang gobyerno nang tama para sugpuin ito.” 

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.

“Kasi maraming mga offers na magtatayo ng negosyo, magtatayo ng ganito, dapat siyasayatin nilang mabuti kung sino ang nago-offer at kung ano ang tunay na pakay. Alam mo, walang negosyo na quick cash, wala ‘yon, hindi pangmatagalan ‘yon,” the Defense chief said. 

“Pangalawa, kung hindi Pilipino ang hina-hire, malalaman niyo naman kung puro dayuhan ang nando’n sa loob ay dapat suspetsado na ang tao, ‘di ba? Palatandaan na ‘yon na may kalolohan na may nangyayari. Alangan naman na hindi mo malaman, 32 buildings na nga ‘yan, napakalaki,” he said. 

'NO SPY WILL ADMIT THEY ARE A SPY'

When congressional inquiries into Guo and her alleged association with offshore gaming hubs linked to heinous crimes began in May, one of the suspicions raised was that she was a Chinese spy.

As investigations progressed, that allegation seemed to have waned from lawmakers' talking points as they focused on the shady operations of gaming hubs and Guo's illegal departure from the country.

Supposed Chinese spy in Thai jail rekindles suspicion Alice Guo is a Beijing asset

Following She's allegations, a visibly riled-up Guo in Friday's hearing again denied being a Chinese spy, stressing that the accusation was "unfair" and pointing out that it had already been raised in past inquiries. Guo threatened to sue She. 

'Hindi ako spy!' Alice Guo loses cool over 'Chinese spy' docu

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian told ANC on Monday that the allegations should be discussed with defense and intelligence agencies in an executive or closed-door session, emphasizing the need to understand the "gravity" of the issue and whether there has been a breach of national security.

Gatchalian said this was the first time he had seen "concrete information" from an international news agency linking Guo to the Chinese government and suggesting she was a spy.

"No spy will admit they are a spy. Definitely they will deny until the end," Gatchalian said, referring to Guo's denial.

"If this information is true, this is the first time that a person, a spy, managed to win an election, managed to be voted legitimately, and nobody knows how far she can go after being a mayor," he said.

"Spying, this type of activity, is quite rampant in major countries and I wouldn't be surprised if this is happening here in our country but we need to make sure that we curtail their activities," the lawmaker also said, adding that authorities need to take the issue "very seriously."

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