Alice Guo back in Philippines

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is back in the Philippines after being deported from Indonesia where she was arrested.

Escorted by top police and local government officials, Guo arrived from Jakarta on a private plane which landed at a private hangar at the NAIA .

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed the successful return of Guo to the Philippines.

"Guo arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at approximately 1:30 AM on September 6 aboard a special government flight. Her return comes after a swift operation by Philippine immigration authorities in Jakarta, in coordination with their Indonesian counterparts," according to the statement issued by bureau.

The BI said it immediately executed the mission order against Guo, Tansingco said, faces charges of undesirability and misrepresentation under Philippine immigration laws.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil on Thursday went to Indonesia for the turnover of custody of the former mayor from the Indonesian police.

In an earlier press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that Guo will undergo a medical check-up at Camp Crame upon arrival.  She will be turned over to the Senate on Friday morning for the implementation of the upper chamber’s arrest warrant.

Guo was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang City, Indonesia at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The former mayor had cut her hair, which National Bureau of Investigation director Jaime Santiago believed was an attempt to conceal her identity.

Guo had asked Abalos for help over what she said were death threats against her.

In a video posted on Abalos' Facebook of his meeting with Guo in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, Guo was heard saying, "Sec, patulong. May death threat po kasi ako."

Abalos entire reply was no longer heard but there was a portion in which he said, "Kaya nga kami kumuha ng private plane..." 

Last July 13, the Senate issued an arrest order against Guo for repeatedly failing to attend the upper chamber’s investigation into the raided POGO hub in her town.

The dismissed mayor is also facing a total of 87 counts of money laundering, along with a human trafficking complaint in connection to the raided POGO hub in Bamban.

On Thursday, the Tarlac Regional Trial Court  Branch 109 issued an arrest warrant for Guo in connection with a graft case. 

Alice Guo allegedly left the country via speedboats in July with her sister, Sheila Guo, and brother, Wesley Guo, through a small white boat.

Shiela Guo said that they transferred to a bigger boat to Malaysia.

Shiela and Cassandra Li Ong were earlier arrested in Indonesia.

Guo arrived in Indonesia on August 18, Philippine authorities said.

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

At the same time, he appealed to the public to refrain from making "crude and malicious comments" against Guo who is accused of ties to criminal syndicates and money laundering.

Legal custody

Guo remains under legal custody of the BI, while physical custody shall remain with the PNP.  Tansingco also confirmed that she will undergo necessary medical checks and face inquest proceedings in the morning.

“We will continue to collaborate closely with the Department of Justice to ensure that cases like these are handled efficiently and swiftly,” Tansingco added, reaffirming the agency's commitment to upholding the rule of law. — NB/BAP, GMA Integrated News