MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Tuesday that Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, recently arrived in Indonesia, possibly circumventing immigration checks. Guo, who is under investigation for her alleged involvement in an illegal POGO hub, initially traveled to Malaysia and Singapore in July before reaching Indonesia via Batam Island, according to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
“She just arrived in Indonesia the other day…August 18,” Sandoval stated.
The Bureau of Immigration has no exit records for Guo, and the information about her whereabouts was obtained from foreign counterparts. “She (Guo) might have left the country illegally without passing through required immigration checks,” Sandoval added.
Authorities suspect that Guo may have used a private plane without notifying immigration or taken an illegal route often exploited by human traffickers, potentially crossing borders by sea to reach Malaysia.
In response, the Philippines may seek the cancellation of Guo’s travel documents to facilitate her deportation as an undocumented visitor. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has ordered the Bureau of Immigration to provide an immediate report on Guo’s exit, which occurred despite an Immigration Lookout Bulletin (ILBO) issued in July.
“As civil servants, we have sworn to the country our unwavering integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our actions and decisions,” Remulla emphasized in a press release.
He issued a stern warning to any Bureau of Immigration personnel who may have assisted in Guo’s escape, stating, “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.”
Authorities are also investigating whether Guo’s legal team might have played a role in her evasion. Remulla stressed that while lawyers must protect their clients’ interests, they also have a broader duty to uphold the Rule of Law and safeguard public interest.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOOC) has indicated that the Philippines could use extradition or request an Interpol red notice to bring Guo back. PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio told TeleRadyo Serbisyo, “Mayroon pa ho tayong legal channels na puwede pong sundan para mapanagot natin ito… Titingnan natin kung saan siya lalanding eventually. Kung yung kaniyang lugar na pupuntahan ay mayroon ba tayong extradition treaty.”
If there is no extradition treaty, Casio mentioned the possibility of triggering an Interpol red notice, which functions as an international arrest warrant.
Casio confirmed that foreign authorities reported Guo’s travels to Malaysia and Singapore, despite the absence of Philippine immigration records. “Malamang lumabas po ito ng Pilipinas via backdoor… Hindi po siya dumaan sa immigration procedure natin, sea ports or airports,” Casio stated.
He further noted two possible exit points from the Philippines that Guo might have used, one in Mindanao and another in Luzon.
However, Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, disputed these claims, asserting that Guo is still in the Philippines. “I have no reason not to believe her considering that in fact, last week, she appeared before a notary public and executed her sworn statement,” David told ANC.
David advised Guo to provide proof of her location, stating, “If you are indeed in the country, then this is the best opportunity for you to show that not everything that the government is throwing against you is reliable.”
Guo has denied any involvement with the illegal gambling hub, insisting that she is a Filipino citizen, despite allegations from authorities that she is the Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.