Alice Guo to be brought back to PH on Thursday

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be brought back to the Philippines on Thursday, according to Senator Raffy Tulfo, confirming the information shared by a source to GMA Integrated News.

Tulfo, who heads the Committee on Public Services in the Senate, said Guo will arrive in the country around 6:18 p.m. via chartered flight RP-C6188 from Jakarta accompanied by Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief Police General Marbil.

"Aalis sila ng Indonesia bandang ala una ng hapon (They will leave Indonesia around 1 p.m.)," Tulfo said.

Abalos and Marbil arrived in Indonesia early Thursday to coordinate Guo's return, according to John Consulta's report on Unang Balita.

“The team, along with the Indonesian Police Attaché to the Philippines, departed Manila at 11:30 p.m. via private plane and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia at 2:30 a.m. (local time),” the PNP said in a statement.

“The SILG and CPNP are scheduled to meet with Indonesian officials to ensure proper coordination. Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia, Her Excellency Gina Jamoralin, has been invited to participate in the discussions,” it added.

A team from the Department of Justice, composed of the Bureau of Immigration and the National Bureau of Immigration, also arrived in Indonesia past midnight for the processing of Guo's deportation. 

Guo's deportation is expected to be similar to that of her supposed sister Shiela Guo and another Cassandra Li Ong who were caught by authorities on August 22.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said once Guo arrives in the Philippines, she will be transported to Camp Crame for a medical check up.

Afterwards, she will be turned over to the Senate as the upper chamber has an existing arrest warrant on her, according to Fajardo.

“Ang plano po kapag nai-turnover na sa kanila si Alice Guo ay dadalhin po rito sa Camp Crame para mag-undergo po ng medical examination para tingnan po ang siguraduhing nasa maayos po siyang kalagayan bago po siya i-turnover sa Senate dahil may existing  warrant po sa kaniya ang Senate,” Fajardo said.

(The plan is that when Alice Guo is turned over to them, she will be brought here to Camp Crame to undergo a medical examination to make sure that she is in good physical condition before she is turned over to the Senate because there is an existing warrant from the Senate against her.)

 

The dismissed mayor was nabbed by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City early Wednesday morning.

Guo’s name was listed on the immigration lookout bulletin following the investigation into her true identity as a supposed Chinese citizen and her link to illegal activities of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in the town of Bamban.

The dismissed mayor is facing several complaints including for human trafficking and money laundering.
 

READ: TIMELINE: The plots and twists of the 'Alice Guo' probe

 

 

At a press briefing, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Guo cut her hair to conceal her identity.

Guo is facing a human trafficking complaint in relation to the raided POGO hub as well as a money laundering complaint before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

A quo warranto petition has also been filed against her before a Manila court as well as a petition to cancel her birth certificate before a Tarlac court. 

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said that Guo's arrest 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 President also said that those who helped her would surely face charges.  

"All of those who are implicated in assisting Alice Guo to leave the Philippines illegally as a fugitive from justice will certainly pay the price," Marcos said.

"Ang tanong niyo, sino sisibakin? Hindi lang namin sila sisibakin, kakasuhan pa namin sila dahil ang kanilang ginawa ay labag sa batas at against all of the interests of the Philippine judicial system," he added.

(So you ask, whose head will roll? We won't just fire them, we will file charges against them. What they did violates the law and is against all of the interests of the Philippine judicial system.)

Guo's lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, meanwhile said that he trusts that his client will properly answer the charges and accusations hurled against her.

He also appealed to the public to refrain from making "crude and malicious comments" against Guo.

"We trust that Alice L. Guo will demonstrate her courage and resilience in the face of adversity and in properly answering the charges and accusations against her," said David. 

"Furthermore, as guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution, she deserves to be represented by a counsel of her choice and has the right to prove her innocence before the courts of law," he added. 

—with reports from Hana Bordey and Joviland Rita/VAL/VBL/RF, GMA Integrated News