The peculiar case of controversial Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo has piqued the curiosity of millions of Filipinos and attracted the attention of global media.

Some international news outlets have dubbed her the “suspected spy of a small town” in the Philippines.

The Senate Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality Committee, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, has been investigating the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in the town and stumbled upon the case of Mayor Guo.

Filipino netizens have given the suspicious local official various nicknames, such as “Amnesia Girl” and “Shan Cai” (due to her resemblance to the female lead character in the popular Taiwanese TV series “Meteor Garden”), as well as “Chinese Spy” and “POGO Queen.”

The viral TikTok clips and social media posts have likely familiarized many with the basic story of Ms. Guo’s life.

During the last investigation on Wednesday, May 22, Senator Risa Hontiveros called out Guo for her lies and inconsistent stories, while Senator Raffy Tulfo compared her life to a dramatic telenovela designed to gain public sympathy.

Among the stories Ms. Guo shared with TV journalist Karen Davila the day before the last Senate hearing, and her testimonies under oath, several peculiar patterns and curious highlights emerged:

Protection of Her Father

Ms. Guo appears to highly protect her father, Jian Zhong Guo, whom she portrays as insanely rich. Her testimonies suggest he could be a controlling figure, as she described being confined to a farm from childhood to adulthood, being homeschooled, and being taught about business at the age of 14.

Father’s Wealth

Her father, supposedly wealthy from a fabric business in China, allegedly gave her large sums of money at a young age, ranging from half a million pesos to P2 million. She also mentioned that he paid for half of her controversial P60 million helicopter and provided for her piggery and livestock business.

Rehearsed Cover Story:

Ms. Guo appears to have a strong, rehearsed cover story. A noticeable pattern is her repeated line, “Lumaki po ako sa farm” (“I grew up on the farm”), which she used several times during the investigations when asked about her childhood and personal life.

The primary questions are: If Ms. Guo is indeed a Chinese spy, what kind of spy is she?

Was she groomed from a young age to become one? Who is her father? Is he connected with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)? Is Ms. Guo trying to protect her father?

There are documented cases where Chinese spies have been groomed by their parents, who were part of the CCP. One notable method used by the CCP is through the United Front Work Department, which builds networks of CCP-aligned individuals and organizations.

These networks often serve as prime grounds for recruiting intelligence assets, including grooming potential spies from families with strong CCP ties.

Furthermore, the Ministry of State Security (MSS) and other intelligence organs of the CCP frequently use familial connections to exert pressure and recruit spies.

This practice is part of a broader strategy where family members in China are leveraged over those living abroad to ensure compliance and gather intelligence.

One prominent example of such grooming is the family of Qian Xuesen (Hsue-Shen Tsien). Qian was a distinguished Chinese scientist and early CCP member who significantly contributed to China’s missile and space programs. His influence extended to his family, who continued his legacy within Chinese intelligence and scientific communities.

Qian Xuesen was educated in the United States and worked on the U.S. missile program before being accused of espionage and deported back to China. Upon his return, he played a pivotal role in developing China’s ballistic missile and space capabilities, earning the moniker “Father of Chinese Rocketry.”

How do spies lie?

Spies are often required to lie effectively as part of their tradecraft. This ability is essential for gathering intelligence, maintaining cover, and ensuring operational security.

The techniques they use are sophisticated and often based on psychological principles and rigorous training. This report explores various methods spies employ to lie effectively, drawing on insights from books and articles written by real spies and espionage experts.

Techniques Used by Spies to Lie Effectively

1. Preparation and Cover Stories
   • Creating Plausible Backstories: According to “The Real Spy’s Guide to Becoming a Spy” by Peter Earnest, former CIA operations officer, creating a convincing cover story is essential. Spies develop detailed and plausible backstories that can withstand scrutiny.
   • Practicing Consistency: A cover story must be consistent in all details. Spies rehearse their stories to ensure they can answer questions naturally and without hesitation.
2. Behavioral Control
   • Managing Nonverbal Cues: “Spy the Lie” by former CIA officers Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, and Susan Carnicero discusses how spies are trained to control nonverbal signals that might give away deception. This includes maintaining steady eye contact, controlling facial expressions, and managing body language to avoid signs of nervousness.
   • Calibrated Emotional Responses: Spies learn to display appropriate emotions that align with their cover story. Over- or under-reacting can arouse suspicion, so emotional responses are carefully calibrated.
3. Psychological Techniques
   • Building Rapport: According to “The CIA Guide to Lying and Lie Detection,” spies often build rapport with their targets to lower their guard. Establishing a connection can make the lie more believable as the target is less likely to question someone they trust.
   • Using Elements of Truth: Mixing lies with elements of truth can make the deception harder to detect. As explained in “The Art of Intelligence” by Henry A. Crumpton, a former CIA officer, blending truth with fiction creates a more credible narrative.
4. Strategic Deception
   • Misdirection and Red Herrings: Spies often use misdirection to draw attention away from the lie. By introducing irrelevant but plausible details, they can confuse and distract their target from the main deception.
   • Feigning Ignorance or Incompetence: Sometimes, acting ignorant or less competent can lead others to underestimate the spy, making them less likely to question their actions or statements.
5. Lie Detection Awareness
   • Understanding Lie Detection Techniques: “The Secret Agent’s Handbook” by Peter Duffy highlights that spies are trained to understand common lie detection methods. This knowledge allows them to counteract techniques used by interrogators and security personnel.
   • Adapting to Different Cultures: Effective lying also involves understanding cultural differences in communication and behavior. What might be considered a sign of deception in one culture could be normal behavior in another.