September 4, 2024
MANILA – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has been arrested in Indonesia, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed on Wednesday.
In a statement, the DOJ said Guo was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta.
Citing information from Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police, the department said Guo was arrested at 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3.
“This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri,” the statement read.
The arrest was also confirmed by NBI Director Jaime Santiago in a radio dwPM interview.
“Yun ang report sa amin, it looks like na hawak na ng Indonesian police,” Santiago said when asked to confirm Guo’s arrest.
Guo is expected to be returned to the country soon.
Santiago said Guo will first be taken to the Bureau of Immigration before being handed over to the NBI.
He added that charges will be filed against Guo before she is brought to the Senate.
“Syempre pa-file-an namin sya ng charges, criminal charges before turning her over to (the) Senate,” Santiago said.
(Of course we will file charges against her, criminal charges before turning her over to the Senate.)
Guo’s sister, Sheila Guo, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong have been arrested last month and are now detained in the country.
Shiela said she and Alice left the Philippines by boat.
The former mayor has been the subject of scrutiny over her alleged ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firms in Bamban.