Marcos says Alice Guo's arrest a warning to those attempting to evade justice

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo should serve as a warning to those attempting to evade justice in the country.

"Such is an exercise in futility," Marcos said in a video message posted after authorities announced Guo's arrest in Indonesia. "The arm of the law is long and it will reach you."

Marcos guaranteed that Guo would be entitled to all legal protections due her under Philippine laws of the country and pursuant to the government's commitment to the rule of law.

"But we will not allow this to prolong the resolution of the case, whose outcome will be a victory for the Filipino people," he said. 

Marcos also expressed gratitude to the Indonesian authorities for their role in arresting Guo. 

"I congratulate all law enforcement personnel who made this apprehension possible" Marcos said. 

"The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished, but on their behalf, accept my thanks," he added.

Guo, whose real name is Guo Hua Ping according to Philippine authorities, is facing a number of legal troubles, including alleged involvement in the operations of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban.

The 33-year-old dismissed mayor was ordered arrested by the Senate in July for repeatedly failing to attend the upper chamber's investigation into the raided POGO hub in her town. She has denied the accusations against her, including being a Chinese citizen. —KBK, GMA Integrated News