Metro Manila, Philippines– The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality resumes its probe over the alleged links of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Here’s what we know so far, with updates from our Senior Correspondent Eimor Santos:

Senate arrival

+ Alice Guo arrived at the Senate at around 7:00 am, two hours ahead of the scheduled hearing. She was escorted by the warden and BJMP personnel from the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory.

+ Inside Alice Guo’s holding room in the Senate. The detained former mayor remains in a helmet and bulletproof vest amid alleged death threats.

+ Alice Guo’s alleged cohorts Cassandra Li Ong and Shiela Guo are also present at the Senate hearing.

+ Michael Yang’s brother, Tony Yang, also attends Senate hearing after being arrested at NAIA last week for allegedly misrepresenting as a Filipino and faking documents. Sen. Risa Hontiveros believes he is also linked to POGOs.

Senate hearing resumes

+ Senator Risa Hontiveros opens the hearing discussing Alice Guo’s alleged links to Michael Yang’s group: Michael Yang has previously denied any connection with illegal POGOs, but it seems his elder brother has dipped his hands in POGO and scam money as well.

+ Hontiveros on Michael Yang’s brother: A POGO associated with Tony Yang, Oro One corporation, lists him as President. Itong Oro One ay service provider ng Xionwei na alam natin na binaliktad na pangalan ni Lin Weixion alias Alan Lim ng Pharmally. Ang email naman ng Xionwei —ginagamit ng isa pang POGO — Brickhartz — na ang papeles ay nakita sa Bamban. Mukhang iisang network – o happy Pharmally – lang talaga ito.

+ Hontiveros says Shiela Guo, Alice Guo’s sister in allegedly tampered Philippine documents, will now be turned over to the Bureau of Immigration: Sheila Guo, the contempt order on you is lifted, and I direct the OSAA to transfer your custody to the BI.

+ Former PNP chiefs condemn Pagcor official Raul Villanueva’s disclosure of intelligence rumors that an ex-top cop helped Alice Guo. They demand a public apology for the “irresponsible statement.” Sen. Bato dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, read this statement.

This is a developing story.

+ Hontiveros reveals a photo showing Tony Yang, brother of Michael Yang, meeting with former PNP chief Benjamin Acorda. Yang said they were just visiting Acorda, then head of Cagayan de Oro police. But Hontiveros points out that Yang has an outstanding warrant of arrest in China. “I really wonder what our high officials are doing fraternizing with a fugitive,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros to Yang: Bakit kayo nagpapanggap na Pilipino?

+ Hontiveros asked this of Tony Yang, brother of Michael Yang, who was arrested last week for allegedly misrepresenting himself as Filipino and falsifying documents.

+ Yang admitted that his grandfather may have obtained a Filipino birth certificate for him to facilitate their business

+ Yang, brother of Michael Yang, admits that a police officer offered him a firearm a few years ago. But he disappoints senators after claiming he does not know the officer’s name.

+ The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission says all indications point to POGO operations inside Sanjia Steel Corp., a business owned by Tony Yang, brother of Michael Yang.

+ Yang has built a “kingdom” in Cagayan de Oro, according to PAOCC Usec. Gilbert Cruz. “Hindi ka pwedeng magpasok ng business doon sa area na yun kung hindi ka dadaan sa kaniya.”

+ Yang denied having a POGO business