Metro Manila, Philippines – The government took custody of the sister and business associate of dismissed controversial Mayor Alice Guo on Thursday, Aug. 22, after they were caught by Indonesian authorities.
Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 around 5 p.m.
Shiela is the sister of Alice, while Ong is an incorporator of offshore gaming operator Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga which was raided. All exited the country despite arrest orders by Congress which is investigating crimes linked to online gaming.
“They were considered illegal aliens by Indonesian immigration as they are wanted in the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.
The two were led to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for processing.
Shiela will be under BI custody for immigration rule violations. Ong will face charges of obstruction of justice and violation of the passport law, among others.
“This is the first time that we have encountered this type of situation kung saan meron pong order of arrest ang House, ang Senado. Meron din pong mga crimes na cinommit so it would have to also pass through law enforcement,” Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano told reporters.
[Translation: This is the first time that we have encountered this type of situation wherein there are orders of arrest from the Senate and House. There were crimes committed so it would have to also pass through law enforcement.]
After going through the necessary processes, the two will be presented either at the Senate or House of Representatives, said Clavano.
Shiela and Ong were caught by authorities at a mall in Riau, Indonesia on Aug. 20.
They were with the former Bamban, Tarlac mayor when they entered Jakarta via a cruise ship from Singapore.
Clavano said operations are ongoing to locate Alice.
“We believe at this point that actions speak louder than words kaya [so] if you’ll allow us to keep these details private and confidential muna [for now], then we will apprise the public as soon as they become available,” he said.
Despite an immigration lookout bulletin against her, Alice fled the Philippines for Malaysia in July.
She, supposedly with Shiela and her brother Wesley, proceeded to Singapore.
Tansingco said there were no records of Alice’s departure in their system.
The former mayor has been dragged in alleged crimes linked to an offshore gaming operations hub in Bamban.
