A Tale of Conflicting Reports: Where the Hell Is Alice Guo?
On early Wednesday, August 21, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed dismay at the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo after members of the Senate reported on her exit.
“The departure of Alice Guo has laid bare the corruption that undermines our justice system and erodes public trust. LET ME BE CLEAR: Heads will roll,” the president expressed in a statement. “We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided in her flight. A full-scale investigation is already underway, and those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
The Department of Justice, on the other hand, echoed Marcos' sentiments. Chief Boying Remulla assured the public that the department would investigate certain Beaureu of Immigration (BI) employees who are allegedly involved with Guo's exit.
“As civil servants, we have sworn to the country our unwavering integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our actions and decisions," Remulla said. "Hence, I am issuing this final warning against erring BI personnel who may have had a participation in the escape of Guo despite strict restrictions imposed by our government. It’s either you come out and unveil the truth or wait until I personally get to the bottom of this where heads will roll and all hell will break loose,”
Remulla added that he had requested Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to submit a report as soon as possible on the matter.
The embattled former Bamban Mayor became a subject of nationwide curiosity after a series of Senate committee hearings that would expose her identity issues, as well as her alleged involvement with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) companies in her town. Led by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros and Senator Win Gatchalian, the hearing revealed Guo's associates and network.
Apart from her upbringing and nationality, Guo's lavish lifestyle has been a subject of scrutiny. It is alleged that she has a net worth of roughly P177 million, with assets that total P367 million and liabilities that clock in at P189 million, based on her December 2023 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
GMA Integrated News Research, however, found discrepancies in her wealth. The research group reported that Guo's SALN in 2022 was at around P430 million. The Anti-Money Laundering Council would also refute Guo's claims, finding billions of pesos in the former mayor's bank accounts.
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Timeline of Alice Guo's Exit From the Philippines
Hontiveros earlier this week revealed that Guo had left the country, based on reports made to her by reliable sources. She was said to have went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July 18th. Likewise, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) validated the claims by saying that the controversial mayor was said to have been seen in three other countries in Southeast Asia.
Senator Hontiveros reported that after Guo went to Malaysia, the former mayor would go to Singapore to meet with her father Guo Jian Zhong, and mother Lin Wen Yi, as well as Wesley Ong and Cassandra Ong. The name Cassandra might sound familiar because she had been named as a representative of the POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided.
Nevertheless, there have been conflicting reports on her whereabouts.
On August 20, Guo's lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, contradicted the report put out by the Senate that his client has fled.
"Siyempre hindi ko mako-confirm 'yan. Siguro 'yung kanilang report, may basehan sila. Pero sa akin kasi, kausap ko kasi 'yung client ko, sabi niya nasa Pilipinas naman siya," David said in GMA's Unang Balita interview. "In-assure niya ako 100% na nasa Pilipinas siya. Kaya ako, 'yung sinasabi ni Senator Risa [Hontiveros], mahirap po namang… ayunan."
But while David explained that his client is still in the Philippines, he did stress that he wasn't aware of her whereabouts nor can he confirm any details on her exact location.
In a separate sighting, Atty. Elmer Galicia claims that he notarized Guo's counter-affidavit when they met on August 14 in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan. The counter-affidvait, in question, was on the Guo's involvement with the raided POGO hub in Bamban.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also stressed that it would be closely coordinating with its diplomatic channels to track Guo down and bring her back to the Philippines.
“But since, kung totoo man po, na nakalabas na po siya ng bansa, then we have to go through the diplomatic channel to address the possibility of bringing her back dito sa atin,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.
One way to get Guo deported back to the country is to have her travel documents canceled as an undesirable alien. The BI added that it would inspect the various inspections and checkpoints that Guo jumped to find those accountable on the matter. Based on the agency's latest findings, Guo was said to have been spotted in Indonesia.
Guo served as mayor of the municipality from June 30, 2022, to August 13, 2024, the date of her official dismissal from public office. The Ombudsman would eventually suspend her in June 2024 while the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft charges over her involvement with POGO activities.
On August 22, Remulla confirmed that Guo's companions Sheila Guo and Cassandra Li Ong had been taken under custody by Indonesian authorities.
This story will continue to be updated with new information.
