By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Office of the President has issued a memorandum directing the cancellation of the passports of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, her siblings Wesley and Sheila Leal Guo, and Cassandra Ong.
The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, instructs the cancellation of the Philippine passports of Alice Leal Guo, Wesley Leal Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and Ong.
The memo states, “In the interest of justice, this Office directs that appropriate action be taken to cancel the Philippine passports of Guo, her family, and Ong.”
It further cites Republic Act No. 11983, known as the “New Philippine Passport Act,” which allows the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary to cancel passports in the interest of national security. One ground for cancellation under this law is when a court orders it due to the holder being a fugitive from justice.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval reported that Guo arrived in Indonesia on August 18. Although there is no record of her departure from the Philippines, Sandoval noted she might have left the country without completing the required immigration checks.
Guo is alleged to be involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) operations in Bamban, Tarlac.
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