ALICE GUO ARRESTED IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA – DOJ

DISMISSED Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo also known as Guo Hua Ping was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia, the Department of Justice on Wednesday confirmed.

According to the DOJ, the former Bamban mayor was caught at 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday (September 3).

Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police relayed the information.

“This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri,” the DOJ said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla welcomed the development, saying Guo’s arrest is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice.

“We will ensure that all legal processes are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed. The DOJ is committed to pursuing justice and will continue to coordinate closely with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the necessary legal procedures,” Remulla said.

The 33-year-old dismissed mayor was ordered arrested by the Senate in July for repeatedly failing to attend the upper chamber’s investigation into the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her town.

Guo is facing complaints about her alleged involvement in the POGOs in the country and questions about her citizenship.

Also ordered arrested by the Senate were Dennis Lacson Cunanan, Nancy Jimenez Gamo, and the mayor’s alleged relatives Shiela Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Seimen L. Guo, and Wenyi Lin.

In May, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft charges against Guo over her reported involvement with POGO.

In June, authorities also filed a complaint against Guo and others for alleged human trafficking in connection with the raided POGO hub in Bamban.

The Office of the Solicitor General also filed a quo warranto petition against Guo.

Despite being the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin due to the ongoing investigations, Guo was able to leave the country last July 18.

Guo reportedly headed to Malaysia, arrived in Singapore on July 21, and traveled to Indonesia on Aug. 18.

Guo’s sister, Shiela, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were earlier arrested in Indonesia and already sent back to the Philippines.

Sheila, in a hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights, admitted she left the country with Alice by boat.

Ong is detained at the House of Representatives while Go at the Senate.