By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo remains in Batam, Indonesia, where her two companions were captured, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
“We coordinated with our partners in Indonesia last night, and according to their information, Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, is still in Batam,” PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio said in a radio interview on Monday, August 26, 2024.
Sheila Guo, Alice’s sister, and Cassandra Li Ong, associated with Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga, have been taken into custody by Indonesian authorities and subsequently sent back to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Casio mentioned that they received information about Wesley Guo, Alice’s brother, attempting to travel to Hong Kong. The PAOCC is verifying with Hong Kong authorities whether Wesley successfully entered the country.
“We received information that he tried to fly to Hong Kong, so we’re confirming with our counterparts in Hong Kong if Wesley Guo made it there,” the PAOCC spokesperson said.
Casio added that the Guo siblings are unable to return to China, as they are also persons of interest there. The former mayor faces charges of qualified trafficking related to her alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“Alice Guo has been charged in the Philippines with qualified trafficking for operating a large POGO. Since gambling is prohibited in China, it would be a bigger problem for her if she is held accountable there,” the PAOCC spokesperson said.
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