MANILA, Philippines – Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has been arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Wednesday, September 4.
NBI Director Jimmy Santiago confirmed to Rappler that Guo is now under the custody of Indonesian authorities.
Guo was apprehended at 11:58 pm on September 3, Tuesday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who confirmed that Guo is currently under the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri, said DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano.
“Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco is currently coordinating with the Indonesian immigration authorities for her possible return to the Philippines at the soonest possible time,” said Gilbert Cruz, chief of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
There are currently no court-issued warrants of arrest out for Guo, just a warrant from the Senate based on contempt. It is likely that Indonesian immigration authorities apprehended Guo for immigration violations, or offenses related to disobedience or obstruction of justice, like what happened to her sister Shiela Guo, and the family’s alleged close confidante Cassandra Ong.
If the same process is going to happen to Alice like it did for Shiela and Ong, she will be taken into custody by the Senate.
Alice Guo faces two complaints at the Department of Justice (DOJ), one for qualified human trafficking, and another for money laundering, both related to her incorporation of a leasing company called Baofu. Evidence submitted by several agencies to the DOJ claim Guo never divested from Baofu, and that the company was a front for the illegal activities of Hong Sheng/Zun Yuan, the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) that leased it.
Guo, at least according to her sister Shiela, fled the Philippines by boat around July 14, and reached Sabah, Malaysia on July 18. Several authorities have expressed doubt about the veracity of Shiela Guo’s testimony.
This is a developing news. Refresh this page for updates. – Rappler.com