Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who faces multiple legal charges, including graft and corruption, has returned to the Philippines after being arrested in Indonesia.

Her return marks her re-entry into the Senate investigation into her alleged involvement in illegal activities, including the operation of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub.

Her arrest follows a swift coordination between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Indonesian law enforcement.

Guo, 33, arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 1:30 a.m. on September 6, 2024, escorted by Philippine authorities on a private government flight from Jakarta.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil personally oversaw Guo’s deportation from Indonesia.

In a video posted on social media, Guo mentioned receiving death threats, prompting heightened security measures upon her return.

"Sec, patulong. May death threat po kasi ako," Guo said.

Guo was detained in Tangerang City on September 4, 2024, after evading arrest orders from the Senate and the Capas, Tarlac Regional Trial Court.

Upon her arrival, Guo was detained formally at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

According to PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, she will be treated as an ordinary detainee, staying in a non-airconditioned room without access to a cellphone.

Before her detention, Guo underwent standard procedures, including the taking of her mugshots and a medical examination.

CHARGES OF GRAFT, CORRUPTION

Guo faces charges of graft and corruption for allegedly favoring the Baofu POGO in Tarlac, along with contempt charges issued by the Senate for repeatedly refusing to attend hearings regarding the POGO raid in her hometown.

She is also linked to 87 counts of money laundering and human trafficking connected to the POGO operations.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco confirmed that Guo will remain under the legal custody of the bureau while her physical custody stays with the PNP.

Inquest proceedings and further legal actions are expected to follow.

The Senate, which had issued an arrest order for Guo in July 2024, is set to resume its investigation into her involvement in illegal POGO operations in the coming days.

(with reports from Jiselle Anne C. Casucian and Jamil Santos, GMA Integrated News; Mikhail Flores, Neil Jerome Morales, and Ananda Teresia, Reuters)