NBI: Shiela Guo is Chinese citizen Zhang Mier

Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, is a Chinese citizen named Zhang Mier who "fraudulently acquired" a Philippine passport, Philippine officials said Friday upon examining her fingerprints and relevant passport records.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said fingerprint analysis showed that Guo and Zhang Mier were indeed the same person.

Zhang Mier is the name reflected on the Chinese passport which was recovered from her possession when she and her companion Cassandra Li Ong were taken into custody by Indonesian authorities, according to a report by John Consulta on 24 Oras.

"There was a comparative fingerprint analysis between Shiela L. Guo and Zhang Mier. The comparative fingerprint analysis showed that the Chinese Zhang Mier and Shiela L. Guo are one and the same person," Santiago said.

He added, "We can conclude na si Shiela L. Guo ay isang Chinese (We can conclude that Shiela L. Guo is a Chinese citizen)."

Guo underwent inquest proceedings Friday at the NBI headquarters in Manila City, a day after authorities brought her and Ong back to the Philippines from Indonesia.

Guo and Ong, the authorized representative of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm that was raided in Porac, Pampanga, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on late Thursday afternoon.

The two now face complaints related to obstruction of justice, harboring a fugitive, and violation of the Philippine Passport Act, the 24 Oras report said, quoting officials of the NBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Although their cases are bailable, the report said, Guo and Ong may not be released because of the arrest warrants issued by the Senate and House of Representatives.

'Misrepresenting' as a Filipino

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Guo will also be charged for violating the Philippine Immigration Law for allegedly misrepresenting herself as a Filipino citizen.

"We already conducted an inquest on Shiela Guo and the charge is the misrepresentation as a Filipino citizen, [and] fraudulently acquired Philippine passport because mayroon siyang Chinese passport... that we were able to get nu'ng mahuli siya sa Indonesia," BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

(We already conducted an inquest on Shiela Guo and the charge is misrepresentation as a Filipino citizen, and fraudulently acquired Philippine passport because she has a Chinese passport that we were also able to get from her when she was arrested in Indonesia.)

Consulta's team sought comment from Guo and Ong, but the two declined to speak with the media and fled to a room in the NBI.

Guo and Ong are currently under NBI custody.

According to a statement by Senate spokesperson Arnel Jose Bañas, they will be brought to the Upper Chamber on Tuesday, August 27, for the continuation of the legislative hearing on the raided POGO firm in Tarlac.

'Collaboration, partnership'

For his part, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hailed the NBI and BI for Guo and Ong's arrest as he urged the dismissed mayor to turn herself over to Philippine authorities.

Remulla also said investigators are looking into the potential liability of individuals and personalities who may have helped Guo to get out of the Philippines.

"This victory demonstrates the essential role of enhanced cooperation between government forces in ensuring justice is served and peace is safeguarded at all times," said Remulla.

"The arrest of Guo's sister and companion is a testament to the power of strong collaboration and close partnership between our government bodies, underscoring the effectiveness of coordinated efforts, effective communication and shared intelligence," he added.

Cassandra's case

Meanwhile, Ong has yet to undergo inquest proceedings but several complaints, including obstruction of justice and the violation of the Passport Act, are set to be lodged against her.

The DOJ, NBI, Philippine National Police, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate, and the House of Representatives have been coordinating with regard to the custody of both Guo and Ong.

Guo is among the personalities ordered arrested by the Senate last July.

The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has issued an order to take custody of Ong as she was cited in contempt for her continued failure to attend the investigation of POGO-related crimes.

Both the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration have said that the dismissed mayor is still in Indonesia.

However, PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio said Thursday that information from Indonesian counterparts showed that her brother, Wesley, is already in another country. — VDV, GMA Integrated News