Guo in Phl custody, faces laundering, trafficking raps

Following her arrest in Indonesia, dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo was flown back to Manila last night.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS and RUDY SANTOS

Guo was accompanied by a top-level Philippine delegation led by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Francisco Marbil. Also present were officials of the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration and other government agencies.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s public information officer, said Guo and the officials were on a chartered flight from Indonesia, which was expected to arrive late Thursday night at the Royal Star Aviation Hangar in Pasay City.

A holding area for medical examination and booking procedures awaited Guo.

“She will be brought to Camp Crame for temporary detention,” Fajardo said in a news briefing.

She said they are eyeing to turn over Guo to the Senate sergeant-at-arms today.

Abalos said Guo feared for her life and this forced her into hiding, and she even felt relieved when caught by authorities.

“When I talked to Alice, there seemed to be a sigh of relief. She recalled the hardships of hiding. Relief that it’s finally over,” Abalos said, adding that all steps are being taken to ensure Guo’s safety.

Officials on Wednesday announced Guo’s arrest in a hotel in Tangerang City in Indonesia’s Banten province – ending a months-long manhunt after the Senate issued an order for her arrest for skipping hearings on Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs).

Fajardo said Indonesian authorities turned Guo over to Philippine officials led by Abalos Thursday following a meeting on deportation procedures.

The police spokesperson added there is no problem should the NBI file a case against Guo for violation of immigration laws after an investigation found she escaped through the country’s backdoor.

Guo faces arrest over graft case

Apart from an arrest order from the Senate, Guo is facing a warrant of arrest for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.