Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, has been arrested in Indonesia, as confirmed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the DOJ, Guo was apprehended in Tangerang City, Jakarta, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on September 4. The department cited Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police, who confirmed the arrest.
“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 Polri,” the DOJ stated.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago also confirmed the arrest in a radio interview, stating, “It looks like the Indonesian police have her in custody.”
Guo is expected to be deported back to the Philippines soon. Upon her return, she will be taken to the Bureau of Immigration before being handed over to the NBI. Santiago mentioned that criminal charges would be filed against Guo before she is presented to the Senate. “Of course, we will file charges against her before turning her over to the Senate,” Santiago said.
Guo’s sister, Sheila Guo, and business associate, Cassandra Li Ong, were arrested last month and are currently detained in the Philippines. Sheila Guo revealed that she and Alice left the Philippines by boat. The former mayor has been under investigation for her alleged connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firms in Bamban.