Senate orders arrest of Alice Guo, 7 others

By Leonel Abasola, Philippine News Agency

The arrest order cited Mayor Guo’s refusal to appear before the Senate as having “delayed, impeded, and obstructed” the inquiry into human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture violations at the gaming hub. (PNA file photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) on Saturday deployed four teams to serve the arrest warrant against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and seven others.

The teams were deployed by OSAA head, retired Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, to serve the arrest order against Alice Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen Guo, and her suspected mother Wen Yi Lin, as well as Dennis Cunanan and Nancy Gamo.

The OSAA was given 24 hours to serve the arrest orders and detain the eight individuals at its office until they appear and testify before the Senate committee investigating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) or purge themselves of contempt.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, said the eight were also ordered to appear before her committee on July 29.

The subpoenas were signed by Hontiveros and approved by Senate President Francis Escudero.

The arrest order cited Mayor Guo’s refusal to appear before the Senate as having “delayed, impeded, and obstructed” the inquiry into human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture violations at the gaming hub.

In a radio DWIZ interview on Saturday, Hontiveros confirmed that the OSAA operatives were on their way to serve the order.

“Kritikal ang kanilang mga testimonya, kaya dapat sila makadalo (Their testimony is critical, so they need to attend),” Hontiveros said.

Guo’s camp has filed a petition before the Supreme Court asking to annul the Subpoena Ad Testificandum earlier issued by the Hontiveros-led Senate committee against Guo and members of her family.

Hontiveros said more personalities named at the previous hearings would also be invited to the next hearing.

She also directed the OSAA to serve its issued subpoena to the following individuals who were likewise ordered to appear before the Senate: Jaimielyn S. Cruz, Roderick Paul B. Pujante, Juan Miguel Alpa, Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, Alberto Rodulfo “Ar” De La Serna, Ronelyn B. Baterna, Michael Bryce B. Mascarenas, Stephanie B. Mascarenas, Rodrigo A. Bande, Jing Gu, Xiang Tan, Daniel Salcedo Jr.

, Chona A. Alejandre, Duanren Wu, Marion Ryan O. Chua, Julian M. Linsangan III, Josefina Mascarenas, and Edwin C. Ang.

“POGO is one big happy Pharmally,” Hontiveros said in the same interview, referring to the company earlier embroiled in allegations of overpriced medical supplies it supplied to the government for the latter’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

She said more hearings would be conducted as more issues are unwrapped throughout the panel’s investigation.

Stephen David, lawyer of Guo, had said the Mayor will surrender once her mental state becomes well.

David also revealed that Guo has already consulted a mental health expert.