Shekinah Jedidiah Alima

INDONESIAN authorities on Wednesday arrested fugitive dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo who escaped the Philippines last July, while the Bureau of Immigration expects her turnover to the country this week.

Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that the dismissed mayor, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was captured in Tangerang City on Wednesday midnight.

"I was just informed by the NBI that Guo Hua Ping (also known as Alice Guo), was arrested in Tangerang City, Indonesia, at 01:30 on September 4, 2024," Gatchalian said in a message sent to a GMA news reporter.

This arrest was later verified by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation. Guo is currently under the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri.

Guo, who had been evading authorities since fleeing the Philippines, was apprehended as an illegal alien by Indonesian Immigration.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval expressed that Guo will be returned to the Philippines within the week, following cooperation with Indonesian authorities.

“We are anticipating that we will be expecting this po siguro (maybe) within the week,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated in an interview.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who has been actively involved in the Senate probe related to the Guo’s activities, looks forward to her cooperation in the ongoing investigation, as she has been evading hearings since May.

“Inaasahan ko ang pagharap ni Guo Hua Ping sa hearing ng Senado sa lalong madaling panahon,” Hontiveros said. “We appreciate the commitment of the NBI to turn her over to the Senate after she is processed. At kung sino man ang tumulong sa kanyang pagtakas, 'di namin kayo tatantanan.”

Guo is under investigation for her alleged involvement in the illegal operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

Guo’s alleged sister Sheila Guo and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were previously arrested in Indonesia on August 21 and were extradited to the Philippines the following day.