THE controversy involving Bamban Mayor Alice Guo reminds me of the spy novels of Robert Ludlum and Tom Clancy about sleeper agents. They are covert operatives embedded in a target country who assimilate with the people and can be activated within a given notice. Sleeper agents are referred to as such because they have "gone to sleep" even for many years to infiltrate a country in plain sight, live with the community, earn an honest living, perform civic activities, and even join the public service.
Mayor Guo's evasive responses to Sen. Risa Hontiveros' queries on her school years, birth circumstances and other personal details drew suspicion that she might be a sleeper agent. Her ethnic Chinese origins bolster the idea that she might have been planted by China to blend with the community and seek public office. Our electoral system is so flawed due to vote-buying that even candidates backed by drug and gambling lords can win elected positions. China can easily nurture and bankroll a future president of the Republic.
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