The Department of Justice (DOJ) has directed the filing of charges against Shiela Guo, the sister of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and an alleged business associate, Cassandra Li Ong, DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty announced on Wednesday.
Shiela Guo, who is also known as Zhang Mie, is facing charges for disobedience to summons and using a fraudulent Philippine passport. Cassandra Li Ong, who represents Lucky South 99 POGO, will also face charges for disobedience to summons and obstruction of justice.
Additionally, Ty stated that both Guo and Ong could be charged with money laundering this week. Ong may also face charges for qualified human trafficking related to her alleged involvement with the POGO in Porac, Pampanga.
When asked if Shiela Guo could serve as a state witness, Ty noted, “She is qualified because, based on her actions, she seems to have been merely implicated in the illegal activities.”
Shiela Guo and Ong were arrested in Indonesia last week. Authorities suspect Alice Guo is in Jakarta and have requested Indonesian officials to deport her. Alice Guo is wanted after allegations surfaced that she is a Chinese citizen who falsely obtained Filipino citizenship to run for public office.
According to Ty, based on Shiela’s testimony during a Senate hearing, the group likely left the Philippines via Luzon rather than Mindanao, traveling a few hours from Tarlac before boarding a boat. Authorities are investigating possible exit points, including Pangasinan, Zambales, and La Union.
There is also a possibility that Shiela’s claim of not being Alice Guo’s sister might be accurate, as their Chinese names differ, Ty mentioned. Current information suggests that former Mayor Alice Guo is in Jakarta, Indonesia, while her brother Wesley is in Hong Kong.