President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked the Indonesian government on Wednesday, September 4, for helping the law authorities arrest dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Marcos issued his remarks in a video message posted on his social media accounts after several government officials confirmed that Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri.
In the video message, Marcos expressed his gratitude to the law enforcement personnel involved in the operation through the close cooperation between the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia.
“Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice: Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you.
This Government continues in its duty to apply the rule of law,” Marcos said.
Marcos assured that Guo will be entitled to all legal protections under Philippine law. However, he emphasized that the government will not allow this to delay the resolution of the case.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said their Indonesian counterpart informed them of Guo’s arrest around 1 a.m. on September 4.
Santiago said they do not have details yet as to how Indonesian police arrested Guo, adding that they are seeking the dismissed mayor’s return as soon as possible.
“The soonest po sir, the soonest. Kung ngayon o bukas pipilitin po natin. ‘Yan po ang order sa atin ni DOJ [Department of Justice] Secretary Remulla,” he said.
Santiago said Guo might face an immigration inquest upon her return to the Philippines.
Guo fled the country in July, traveling first to Malaysia and then to Indonesia. In a Senate hearing last week, Shiela Guo confirmed that she, Alice Guo, and Wesley Guo had escaped the Philippines by boat. (TCSP)
