Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be brought back to the Philippines on Thursday, according to a source of GMA Integrated News.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Chief Police General Marbil have also arrived in Indonesia to coordinate Guo’s return to Manila, according to John Consulta’s report on Unang Balita.
Guo is also reportedly being brought back to Manila in the afternoon.
A team from the Department of Justice, composed of the Bureau of Immigration and rge 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, 2024.
The dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor was nabbed by Indonesia officials in Tangerang City early Wednesay morning.
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.
