Former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo back in the Philippines to face human trafficking, POGO-related charges

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, returned to the Philippines on Friday morning, September 6, after being apprehended by authorities in Tangerang City, Indonesia. 

Guo arrived in the country early Friday morning, accompanied by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Her movements following her disappearance were traced in the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."

Before her arrest, Guo, last seen in May, evaded addressing her alleged involvement in illegal POGO operations and fled the country in July, becoming a wanted figure for missing a Senate panel investigation into her alleged ties to Chinese crime syndicates.

Guo's POGO connection

The former mayor's connection to the illegal POGO operation in Bamban was identified through documents bearing her name.

"Marami kaming nakitang dokumento doon under her name tulad ng mga electric bills. Even 'yung sa land titles, may actual hand talaga siya dun sa operation nu'ng POGO," Director Winston Casion of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said.

["We found many documents that were under her name, like electric bills. Even land titles were in her name—she had a direct hand in the operation of the POGO."]

Investigations revealed that a POGO hub, located within the Baofu Land compound named under Guo, was linked to cybercrime, internet fraud, torture, and human trafficking. 

POGO hubs across the country, including those in Tarlac and Pampanga, were found to be involved in cryptocurrency and love scams. The POGO hub in Bamban was also discovered to have lured foreign workers, including Chinese nationals, with the false assurance that their employment in the Philippines was legal.

Guo's arrest

In a Senate session, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros said that Guo left the country on July 18 and proceeded to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She escaped with businesswoman Cassandra Li Ong, a representative of Whirlwind Corporation and stakeholder in the POGO Lucky South 99 in Porac, and Sheila Guo, who were arrested before the dismissed mayor was caught.

According to PAOCC, Guo went to Singapore on July 21 after her stop in Malaysia.

On August 18, Guo crossed to Indonesia.

Philippine authorities were informed that the fugitive dismissed mayor was nabbed by police in Indonesia on Sept. 4.

In the footage of the arrest, Interpol agents and Indonesian police confirmed Guo's identity and instructed her to follow them. The key to capturing her was tracing a SIM card she left behind at her hotel.

"May tatlo siyang cell phone number na nakuha. At may isa siyang active na number. Dun na na-track 'yung kanyang location," said Rendel Sy, chief of the Bureau of Immigration's Fugitive Search Unit.

["She had three cell phone numbers, and one active number helped track her location."]

Guo's return to the Philippines

The arrested former mayor refused to answer questions after returning to the Philippines.

Despite the serious charges against her, Guo appeared unfazed and took selfies with arresting officials, drawing criticism for her perceived special treatment.

"Pagkuha ng picture, hindi ko naman alam na nagpapa-cute ito and I have no idea na she's making faces," Interior Secretary Abalos said.

["I didn't know she was posing and making faces in the pictures."]

"'Yung chartered flight, remember hinahabol ko 'yung oras dahil kung hindi ako makapunta by 1, papakawalan si Alice, sayang at lalo tayong maba-bash niyan kung makawala si Alice. There's no special treatment for Alice Guo. Once pag-land niya rito, si Alice Guo nakita ninyo naman naka-handcuff, minug shot," he added.

["As for the chartered flight, I was racing against time. If I hadn't arrived by 1 PM, they would have released Alice, and we would face even more criticism. There was no special treatment for Alice Guo. Once she landed here, you saw she was handcuffed and her mugshot was taken."]

Attorney Stephen David, legal counsel for the Guo family, defended Alice from criticism about taking photos with officials.

"Kahit anong sabihin mo, public figure 'yan, Para ma-boost 'yung morale ng mga followers niya and 'yung mga sumusunod, naniniwala sa kanya. You need to have to give a jolly expression," David said.

["No matter what you say, she is a public figure. To boost the morale of her followers and those who believe in her, you need to present a cheerful demeanor."]

Director Casio, however, underscored that PAOCC considered Guo an alleged criminal, with PAOCC treating her as a qualified human trafficker, money launderer, and large-scale scammer.

Facing Senate again

Guo will face multiple cases, including graft and corruption, tax evasion, alleged material misrepresentation, perjury and disobedience to summons, money laundering, and qualified human trafficking.

Hontiveros, set to lead the probe into Alice Guo's escape, expects the hearings to focus on concluding the investigation and revealing how Guo escaped.

"Mula saan dito sa Pilipinas? At konektado doon, masasagot natin, sino-sino yung mga Philippine authorities na either nag-turn ng blind eye or worse, nakipagsabwatan at o nagpabayad para patakasin si Alice Guo? Kasi hindi lang nakakahiya, nakakalungkot," Senator Hontiveros said.

["We need to find out where she fled from in the Philippines and determine which Philippine authorities either turned a blind eye or, worse, conspired with or accepted bribes to help her evade capture. This is not only embarrassing but also disheartening."]

David, however, maintained confidence in their defense.

"Wala naman nagbago sa depensa namin. Ako, very confident na at the end of the day, mapapakita natin kung ano talagang totoong nangyari. So kailangan makipag-cooperate tayo sa husgado kung anong tinanong sa atin, kailangan tayong sumagot," the lawyer said.

["Our defense remains the same. I am very confident that, in the end, we will be able to reveal what truly happened. So we need to cooperate with the court and respond to their questions accordingly.]

Casio said that while Guo and her family are "scammers and liars," they are not the main players in this scheme.

"Sila ay kabilang sa mas malaking organisasyon na gusto nating masawata. Mangyari niyan mga sacrificial lamb lang 'yan. Pero 'yung talagang tunay na mga utak ng kriminal na organisasyon na ito, hindi ho natin makukuha," he said.

["They are part of a larger organization that we want to dismantle. These individuals are merely sacrificial lambs. However, capturing the true masterminds behind this criminal network may prove beyond our reach."]

He added that while their crimes against the nation are significant, those who sheltered them are even more culpable, as they betrayed the trust placed in public servants and undermined their efforts.

Guo is currently in the custody of the RTC of Tarlac and the PNP Custodial Center and is expected to attend the Senate hearing on Monday.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News