NICA considers Alice Guo case as national security concern

FRESH FROM ARREST An image of mayor-turned-fugitive Alice Guo, Guo Hua Ping in real life, shortly after her arrest in Jakarta, Indonesia, early Wednesday is flashed onscreen several hours later at a briefing by Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo at Camp Crame, Quezon City. — SCREENGRAB FROM the PNP Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) considers the case of Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, a national security concern.

NICA Legal Officer Atty. Rowena Acudili disclosed the matter at the Senate subcommittee on justice’s Thursday probe into Guo’s escape from Philippine jurisdiction.

“Considering the fact that Ms. Guo has been involved and charged with various criminal charges and involved in other unlawful activities, plus the fact that her Filipino citizenship is in question, the NICA considers this as a national security concern,” said Acudili.

Acudili’s pronouncement came after Senate subpanel head Sen. Risa Hontiveros asked whether or not the agency is seeing the incidents in relation with Guo as a national security aspect or threat.

Meanwhile, Acudili said the intelligence agency was made aware on August 18 that Guo was able to flee the country despite an existing arrest order and outstanding lookout bulletin.

“However, during that time it was [not] yet verified by other source[s] and the following day, that’s on August 19, the good senator made a privilege speech that, indeed, Alice Guo is already in Indonesia or Singapore,” she said.

Hontiveros, for her part, pressed NICA to determine what actions it underwent after receiving such information.

“On the part of NICA continuous naman po ang aming coordination with other intelligence agencies and in fact po our regional intelligence committee have already noted that as early as July 10 wala na pong monitoring kay mayor sa municipal office,” said Acudili.

(On the part of NICA, we are continuously coordinating with other intelligence agencies and in fact our regional intelligence committee has already noted that as early as July 10, the [former] mayor is no longer monitored in the municipal office.)

Guo was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice, citing information from Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police.

She has an outstanding arrest order from the upper chamber for refusing to appear, despite due notices, at the committee on women’s hearing on July 10.

READ: Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia – DOJ, NBI

She has been the subject of scrutiny after the Senate panel on women bared her ties to illegal pogo firm Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Bamban, Tarlac.

Questions about her citizenship were also raised, leading to allegations that she is a Chinese spy — which she vehemently denied. The NBI, however, earlier confirmed that she and Chinese national Guo Hua Ping are one.