TARLAKENYO (February 4, 2024) — Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo remains at the center of controversy as allegations of espionage against her prompt renewed discussions on tightening the country’s laws against spying.
In response to Guo’s case, Senator Jinggoy Estrada has urged the Department of National Defense to provide input on Senate Bill (SB) 2368, a measure seeking to modernize and expand the Philippines’ espionage laws.
“Given the significant national defense and security changes over the years, reviewing and updating these policies is essential to ensure they are relevant to the current landscape. Any input from the Defense Department will be welcomed to help fine-tune the measure,” said Estrada, the Senate Committee on Defense and Security chairman.
Estrada clarified that his proposal predates the Senate’s investigation into Guo’s alleged links to foreign intelligence operations. Still, her case has reinforced the urgency of revising the country’s outdated espionage laws.
Under SB 2368, cyber espionage and technological threats would be explicitly covered, with harsher penalties imposed on offenders. While current laws impose prison terms ranging from six months to 30 years and fines of up to P30,000, Estrada’s measure seeks to increase penalties to life imprisonment and fines of at least P1 million.
Guo was dismissed from office amid suspicions about her true identity and possible foreign affiliations, has become a symbol of the vulnerabilities in the country’s national security framework. The case has fueled debates on whether existing laws are sufficient to address modern espionage threats, particularly those involving cyber activities and foreign influence in local governance.
The Senate Defense and Security Committee last deliberated on the measure in May, forming a technical working group to refine the bill. Estrada has emphasized the importance of DND’s input in ensuring the legislation is robust enough to prevent future cases like Guo’s from slipping through the cracks.
As investigations into Guo’s background and alleged espionage activities continue, the proposed law signals a stronger stance against security threats whether — digital or political — lurking within the country’s borders.
