MANILA, PHILIPPINES- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured that any official who helped dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Leal Guo or Guo Huaping escape the Philippines will be removed from their position.
“𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗠𝗘 𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥: 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹.” President Marcos stated.
Marcos made this statement as he said that his administration is conducting a wide-ranging investigation into the matter.
According to the President, helping Guo escape the charges against her at the Department of Justice is a reflection of corruption that undermines the country’s justice system.
“The departure of 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗼 has laid bare the corruption that undermines our justice system and erodes public trust. ” the president states.
Marcos assured that they will reveal the individual who betrayed the public’s trust and helped her escape.
“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 President further stressed that there is no place in government for anyone who prioritizes personal interest over serving the people.
“There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal interest above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity and justice.”
On Monday, the Office of the President wrote a memorandum to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, ordering the cancellation of the passports of Alice Guo, Wesley Guo, Cassandra Ong, at Sheila Leal Guo.
The memo, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, stated that under Republic Act No. 11983 or the New Philippine Passport Act, the DFA may cancel a passport that poses a threat to the country’s national security.
The same law also states that a passport may be revoked if a court has already filed a petition to cancel it and if the person has been declared a fugitive by the Department of Justice.
On Tuesday, Senate Deputy Minority Risa Hontiveros shared that the DFA has already reported the passports of individuals involved in illegal POGO and human trafficking to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol)