NBI to take custody of 2 Alice Guo companions -Escudero

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will take custody of the sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and her companion Cassandra Li Ong upon their return to the Philippines, according to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

"We were informed that per guidance from the DOJ, the NBI shall take custody of both Shiela and Cassandra in order for NBI to file cases against Cassandra and for BI to conduct inquest proceedings against Shiela on immigration charges," Escudero said in a text message to reporters.

"Therafter, the NBI will debrief them. Only thereafter shall they coordinate with the Senate and the House regarding the warrants issued by both Houses against them," he added.

Escudero said he already instructed Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Roberto Ancan to comply and to continue their coordination with the Department of Justice, NBI, Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine National Police "for an orderly and peaceful procedure given the legal quagmire surrounding the two personalities."

With the arrest of Guo's sister and Ong, Escudero said he expects the BI to be more "proactive" in arresting the dismissed mayor.

"Given the embarrassment this brought to BI, I expect them to be more proactive in making up for the misfeasance/malfeasance that resulted in the departure of persona with outstanding warrants of arrest," Escudero said in a text message.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, one of the senators who actively participated in the investigation into Guo's links to POGOs, said "It is only a matter of time before Guo Hua Ping, a.k.a Alice Guo, is brought to justice" following the arrest of Sheila Guo and Ong.

"I firmly believe that Guo Hua Ping would not be able to evade accountability for the numerous crimes she has committed. The long arm of the law will eventually catch up with her," he added.

Gatchalian and Senator Risa Hontiveros, who led the Senate investigation of Guo, both expect that Ong and Sheila's return will help in gathering more information that will answer more questions on POGO hubs in Bamban and Porac.

"Their return is not just a procedural matter, it represents a critical turning point in our pursuit of justice," Gatchalian said.

For her part, Hontiveros said, "Mahigpit na binantayan si Cassandra Li Ong dahil sya ang makakapagbigay-linaw at makakapagturo ng mga ng dapat managot sa mga totoong nasa likod ng POGO na Lucky South 99 sa Porac, Pampanga."

(Cassandra Li Ong is closely being monitored as she is the one who could shed light and identify those responsible for the true masterminds behind the Lucky South 99 POGO firm in Porac, Pampanga.)

"Ano nga ba ang kinalaman niya kina Alice Guo, Harry Roque, at iba pa? Sino ang nagpapuslit sa kanya at sa kapatid ni Alice Guo para makalabas sa bansa? At bakit butas-butas ang sistema natin sa immigration?" she asked.

(What's her connection to Alice Guo, Harry Roque, and others? Who helped her and Alice Guo's sibling escape the country? And why is our immigration system full of loopholes?)

Hontiveros said she is expecting the two to appear before the Senate on Tuesday.

"Naniniwala ako na masasagot lahat yan sa ating susunod na hearing. Inaasahan ko rin ang pagdalo ni Cassandra Li Ong at Sheila Guo sa ating hearing sa Martes. Mananagot sila sa pag-iwas nila sa Senado," she said.

"I believe that everything will be answered in our next hearing. I also expect Cassandra Li Ong and Sheila Guo to attend our hearing on Tuesday. They will be held accountable for avoiding the Senate."

Guo and Ong were intercepted while reportedly trying to depart Indonesia on Wednesday and they are expected to return to the Philippines late Thursday afternoon.

Guo's sister, Sheila is among the personalities ordered arrested by the Senate last July.

Meanwhile, the Senate  Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality has an outstanding subpoena against Ong.

The House of Representatives also issued an order to take custody of Ong.—LDF, GMA Integrated News