Jakarta requests prisoner exchange

DISMISSED Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s flight from justice was cut short yesterday when she was arrested by Indonesian authorities in Jakarta, more than a month after she escaped with her siblings via a circuitous route that took them to Malaysia.

“Sr. Supt. Audie Latuour of the Indonesian police confirms that Alice Guo (also known as Guo Hua Ping) was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia, at 1:30 a.m. on September 4, 2024. She is currently in the custody of the Indonesian police at Jatanras Mabes Point,” National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago said in a press conference.

“The arm of the law is long and it will reach you,” President Marcos Jr. said, warning that efforts to escape justice would prove futile.

“The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible,” he added. “We’re already finalizing the arrangements for the return of Alice Guo sometime today.”

Reuters reported that Jakarta’s law minister, Supratman Andi Agtas, said Indonesia would deport Guo but requested a prisoner exchange — Guo for drug suspect Gregor Johan Haas who was arrested in Bogo, Cebu last year for smuggling drugs.

Supratman said Guo would be deported to the Philippines, but the timing of her return has yet to be fixed.

“(The timing) depends on the police investigation results,” Supratman said.

Guo was arrested along with a Chinese monk and was helped by a former Chinese police officer during her escape from the Philippines, Supratman said but gave no details.

Upon her return, Guo, who cut her hair short in an attempt at disguise, will be handed to law enforcement and then the Senate, according to Santiago.

Last month, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered her dismissed as mayor for grave misconduct.

Guo claimed to be a Philippine citizen when she ran for office but her fingerprints were later found to match those of Guo Hua Ping.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Gilbert Cruz said Guo was nabbed in Tangerang City in Banten, Indonesia at 1:30 a.m.

“She is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri,” Cruz said in a statement issued yesterday morning, adding Guo was held for violation of immigration laws.

Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters.

FACING NUMEROUS RAPS

Guo, 33, also known by her Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, is wanted by the Senate for refusing to appear before a congressional investigation into her alleged criminal ties. She also faces charges of tax evasion, money laundering, graft over her alleged involvement in the operation of the POGO hub in Bamban, and questions about her nationality.

The Justice Department also confirmed Guo’s arrest by Indonesian authorities, though the time was different from the one provided by the NBI.

“The DOJ confirms the arrest of former mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, in Tangerang City, Jakarta Indonesia. According to Sr. Supt. Audie Latuhery of the Indonesian police, Ms. Guo was apprehended at 11:58 p.m. on September 3, 2024,” the DOJ said in a statement.

In a statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said: “The arrest of Alice Guo is a testament to the tireless efforts of our 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.”

“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 Point,” the DOJ added.

Santiago and Cruz said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco is coordinating with Indonesian immigration authorities for Guo’s return to Manila “at the soonest possible time.”

Tansingco also confirmed Guo’s apprehension, saying: “The information has been confirmed by our immigration counterparts in Indonesia, and we are very happy with this development. We have immediately forwarded this information to the DOJ and the Office of the Executive Secretary. We are anticipating her return to the Philippines soon,” said Tansingco, adding Guo was apprehended at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.

Guo’s arrest came weeks after her supposed sister, Shiela, and alleged business associate Cassandra Li Ong were nabbed by Indon authorities and deported to the country.

Sheila is under the custody of the Senate while Ong, the representative of Lucky South 99 POGO in Porac, Pampanga, is detained at the House of Representatives.

Tansingco said Guo’s arrest would shed light on many questions about her escape despite the DOJ’s issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO).

Santiago said they have no information on the whereabouts of Wesley Guo, the brother of Alice who escaped with her and Shiela last July using their Philippine passports.

“Wala pang detalye kung paano siya nahuli. Basta ang report lang, nahuli siya ala-una ng madaling araw. Naka-detain nga po sa police ng Indonesia (We have no details yet on how she was arrested. The report we received is that she was arrested at around one in the morning. She is detained by the Indonesian police),” Santiago said.

“Wala pang information kay Wesley. Kay Alice pa lang po (We have no information yet about Wesley. The information is only about Alice),” he added.

Guo and her sibling escaped from the country last July, first going to Sabah, Malaysia and proceeded to Indonesia.

During a Senate hearing last week, Sheila said she, Alice and Wesley left the country via boats.

The Senate ordered Guo’s arrest last July after she repeatedly failed to attend the investigation on her alleged connection to the raided POGO hub in Bamban.

Also ordered arrested by the Senate were former Technology Livelihood Resource Center official Dennis Cunanan, Wesley, Sheila, Seimen Guo, Jian Zhong Guo and Wenyi Lin.

The Office of the Solicitor General has also filed a petition before the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court seeking the cancellation of her birth certificate and a quo warranto case before the Manila RTC to remove her from her post.

PRISONER EXCHANGE

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla mentioned Indonesia’s request for a prisoner exchange when asked if there were complications regarding Guo’s return to Manila.

“Yes, what I mentioned earlier,” Remulla told reporters in a Viber message, without providing additional details.

Haas is the father of Australian Brisbane Broncos player Payne Haas. He was arrested in Bogo, Cebu and accused of smuggling more than five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia last year. He is also linked to the Mexican drug cartel.

Cruz said local authorities were coordinating with their Indonesian counterparts for the immediate return of Guo to the country.

“Once turned over (to Philippine authorities), we are going to serve the warrant (of arrest) that was issued by the Senate against her,” said Cruz. This will give her a chance to answer the charges against her.”

INTERPOL CUSTODY

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Guo was nabbed at the Cendana Parc Residences in Jakarta.

“At present, she is under the custody of the Jakarta Interpol and we are in close coordination with them,” said Fajardo. “The arrest of Alice Guo is the result of the PNP’s active coordination and cooperation with the Indonesian national police. The efforts of the PNP bore fruit. Alice Guo is now under the custody of our counterparts.”

Fajardo said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil are “coordinating with the ambassador so we could facilitate the smooth and proper transport of Alice Guo back to the Philippines.”

Fajardo said one of the options being considered is for the Philippines’ police attache to escort Guo back during her transport to the Philippines. Another option, she said, is for Abalos and Marbil to fly to Indonesia to fetch Guo.

“But nothing is final as of now. We will provide you with additional details and updates as soon as it is finalized,” said Fajardo.

“The intention of the SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government) and the Chief PNP is that within the day we can get the custody of Alice Guo,” adding said Guo may end up in the custody of the Senate.

“Since she has an existing warrant of arrest issued by the Senate, the PNP has the intention to at least turn over the custody of Alice Guo to the office of the Sergeant-at-arms (of the Senate),” said Fajardo.

Fajardo said the PNP, in coordination with the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration, is still conducting an investigation on how Guo was able to leave the Philippines.

“There is a possibility she left through the backdoor,” said Fajardo.

“The investigation is ongoing and if the investigation shows there are policemen who helped her (escape), there will be no sacred cows here. We are going to hold accountable any policeman found to have helped in the escape of Alice Guo,” said Fajardo.

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE

In a statement, the PNP said the arrest of Guo “marks a significant milestone in international law enforcement cooperation.”

It noted the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding signed by the PNP and its Indon counterparts. “This agreement encompasses provisions for intelligence exchange and joint efforts to combat transnational crime,” it said.

Marbil, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Indonesian authorities for the arrest of Guo.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Indonesian National Police for their cooperation in apprehending Alice Guo. The PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are working diligently to arrange the transfer of custody. Our Police Attaché is in Indonesia, coordinating with local authorities to ensure a smooth and secure transfer of Guo to the Philippines,” said Marbil.

The PNP said Marbil had discussions with Indonesian police officials “to discuss the specifics of Guo’s custody transfer.”

It also said Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. “is actively coordinating with the Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia to facilitate the handover process, ensuring that all diplomatic and legal protocols are meticulously followed.”

“The PNP’s close and active coordination with the Indonesian National Police underscores the commitment of both nations to combat international crime and uphold justice,” the PNP said.

BI ON LOGISTICS

The Bureau of Immigration said it expects Guo to be flown back to Manila within this week.

Immigration spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said they have BI personnel coordinating with Indonesian authorities regarding logistics on Guo.

“After everything has been ironed out, we will inform the public kung kailan ibabalik si Alice Guo,” she added.

She said Guo will undergo the same processes that Sheila and Ong went through when they were brought back to Manila last month.

“We will do the same since aside from local cases here, she also had an immigration deportation case for misrepresentation and undesirability,” Sandoval said, adding the deportation case will be tackled after the resolution of her other cases.

Sheila and Ong were initially taken into custody by the NBI before they were transferred to the custody of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

According to Sandoval, the dismissed mayor was apprehended for being an illegal alien.

NO EXTENSION

Commission on Elections chief George Garcia said they are not inclined to give Guo’s camp another extension from yesterday’s (Wednesday) deadline if they ask for more time to answer the case over her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) in the May 2022 polls.

“It is very clear that the Comelec has given Mayor Alice Guo due process and the opportunity to be heard. Even her camp can’t deny that the mere fact that we gave her an extension means we want her to file her answer to the accusations,” said Garcia.

“As far as the Comelec is concerned, the extension we granted is likely the last one. We gave them enough opportunity to answer the charges,” he added. “Even if she returns to the Philippines, will she be willing to respond to the misrepresentation case? It may just be another exercise in futility if we grant another extension,” said the poll chief.

A material misrepresentation complaint was filed motu proprio by the Comelec against Guo concerning her Certificate of Candidacy filed in the May 2022 polls.

Last August 22, the camp of Guo asked for an extension of 10 days or until September 1 to file her counter-affidavit, which the Comelec granted. — With Victor Reyes, Gerard Naval, and Reuters