Former Philippines Mayor Arrested in Indonesia on Alleged Ties to Chinese Syndicates
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that those who assisted Alice Guo in leaving the country ‘will certainly pay the price.’
Indonesian authorities arrested Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban, in Tangerang near Jakarta on Sept. 4, after she fled the Philippines amid allegations of ties to Chinese criminal syndicates.
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration confirmed Guo’s arrest in Indonesia and announced that she will be deported back to the Philippines soon. The exact date of her extradition has not been confirmed yet.
“The information has been confirmed by our immigration counterparts in Indonesia, and we are very happy with this development,” said Norman Tansingco, commissioner for the bureau.
Guo faces charges related to money laundering offenses connected to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and Chinese-run gambling firms. She had secretly left the Philippines in July, traveling through Malaysia and Singapore before settling in Indonesia in mid-August, according to the Philippine News Agency.
The Philippine immigration department mentioned that more details about how Guo managed to escape undetected will be revealed following her extradition.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed gratitude to the Indonesian government for aiding in Guo’s arrest and mentioned that efforts are being made to facilitate her immediate return to the Philippines.
“The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible,” Marcos said, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.
Marcos confirmed that an investigation into Guo’s escape is ongoing and warned that any government personnel involved in helping her flee will face consequences.
Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong were intercepted in Indonesia on Aug. 22 and brought back to the Philippines. The National Bureau of Investigation identified Shiela Guo as Zhang Mier, holding a Chinese passport.
Shiela Guo testified before the Philippine Senate that she, Alice Guo, and Wesley Guo left the Philippines by boat and arrived in Malaysia in early July. She mentioned that Alice Guo continued her journey without them, leaving them behind.
Alice Guo was suspended from her position as the Bamban mayor in June due to her association with the Zun Yuan Technology POGO complex, which was allegedly involved in criminal activities.
This incident takes place amidst heightened tensions between the Philippines and the Chinese government, mostly related to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Grace Hsing and Lynn Xu contributed to this report.
