National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Deputy Director General Ashley Acedillo informed a Senate panel on Tuesday that the dismissed Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, Alice Guo, who is also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is regarded as an “agent of influence.”
Although there is currently no legal definition for “agent of influence,” Acedillo explained that Guo’s actions involved leveraging her position for the benefit of the country she represents.
Acedillo further noted that they have not yet categorized Guo as a spy or foreign intelligence agent, as such a classification requires confirmation from the state that employed her.
The Chinese Embassy has not released a statement regarding Guo, but previously this year, it described concerns about espionage as “Sinophobic sentiments” and called on “relevant parties in the Philippines” to “cease spreading false narratives and inciting anti-China feelings.” (ZIA LUNA)
