PBBM welcomes Alice Guo’s arrest, vows speedy case resolution

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Sept. 4, 2024) thanks the Indonesian government and lauds all law enforcement personnel for the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia. (Photo by Ruth Abbey Carlos/PNA)

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured the public of the immediate resolution of cases of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo following her arrest in Indonesia.

In a video message uploaded on his official Facebook page, Marcos said the government would let the legal process take its course, as it hears Guo’s case.

“This government continues in its duty to apply the rule of law. Miss Guo shall be entitled to all legal protections due her under the laws of the land, and pursuant to our commitment to the rule of law,” Marcos said.

“But we will not allow this to prolong the resolution of the case, whose outcome will be a victory for the Filipino people.”

Marcos said Guo’s apprehension must serve as a “warning” to those who attempt to evade justice that “such is an exercise in futility,” stressing that “the arm of the law is long and it will reach you”.

He thanked the Indonesian government and lauded the law enforcement agencies for the successful arrest of Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, in Tangerang City, Jakarta.

“I congratulate all law enforcement personnel who made this apprehension possible. The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished, but on their behalf, accept my thanks,” Marcos said.

“The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian government for their assistance on this matter. The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible.”

Guo is facing complaints about her alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country and questions about her citizenship.

Marcos, in an interview after a situation briefing on the effects of Severe Tropical Storm in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, said the arrangements for Guo’s return are being finalized.

He said the dismissed mayor is expected to return to the country “some time today”.

He added that the public would “soon” know the identities of people who would be held accountable for Guo’s escape.

“All of those who are implicated in assisting Alice Guo to leave the Philippines illegally as a fugitive from justice will certainly pay the price. Ang tanong niyo, sino sisibakin? Hindi lang namin sila sisibakin, kakasuhan pa namin sila dahil ang kanilang ginawa ay labag sa batas at (Your question is, who will be fired? We will not only fire them, we will even file a case against them because what they did was illegal and) against all of the interests of the Philippine judicial system,” Marcos said.

Guo was able to leave the country on July 18, despite being the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin due to the ongoing investigations.

She reportedly headed to Malaysia, arrived in Singapore on July 21, and traveled to Indonesia on Aug. 18.

Guo’s sister, Shiela, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were earlier arrested in Indonesia and already sent back to the Philippines.

Marcos, in a media interview on Aug. 27, said there would be “no sacred cows” in the investigation into Guo’s escape, hinting that he had an idea about the people who helped the former mayor leave the country.

The Department of Justice earlier said there were certain individuals who would face administrative or criminal cases in connection with Guo’s escape.

Product of active intel cooperation

The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, said Guo’s arrest is a product of its active intelligence cooperation with the Indonesian National Police.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the two police forces signed a memorandum of agreement on intelligence exchange and joint efforts in combating transnational crime in 2017.

“The PNP extends its gratitude to the Indonesian National Police for their invaluable cooperation, which led to Guo’s capture,” she said.

Fajardo said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil met with his Indonesian counterpart on Wednesday morning via Zoom to discuss arrangements on Guo’s deportation to the Philippines.

“Yes, we intend to bring her back to the country within the day,” she said.

Fajardo said Guo will be turned over to the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms.

“Further details are being withheld in respect of ongoing diplomatic protocols and the protection of Guo’s family, who have been informed of her arrest,” she added.