Then Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo appears before a Senate hearing on May 22, 2024. (INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities are close to identifying who helped dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo (Guo Hua Ping) flee the Philippines, an official from the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
“We are nearing the end of the thorough and extensive investigation of those who aided and abetted in the escape of former Mayor Alice Guo, ” DOJ Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Mico Clavano IV said in a media briefing on Friday.
Clavano, however, added he cannot divulge further information, but noted that there seemed to be “firm evidence” on who helped Guo.
“There are definitely personnel, or persons of interest, in the Bureau of Immigration, but let us not discount the fact that there are also private individuals,” he said.
“Wala po tayong kikilingan dito, as long as tumulong po kayo sa escape ni former Mayor Alice Guo, you will definitely face cases,” he added.
(We will not take sides here; as long as you helped in the escape of former mayor Alice Guo, you will definitely face charges.)
In another press briefing last September 4, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he is not on speaking terms with Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco about suspicion that there may be BI personnel involved in Guo’s departure.
Remulla also said he does not want to bring up the issue with Tansingco.
Remulla emphasized that Tansingco did not immediately notify him about Guo’s departure, stressing that it is inappropriate to keep the justice secretary uninformed, especially regarding such a significant issue.
Guo is under investigation for her alleged ties to the raided Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Bamban, where she served as mayor.
She left the Philippines last July and was arrested in Tangerang City in Indonesia on September 4. She was brought back by authorities to Manila via a chartered flight early Friday morning.