Two associates of the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo have been detained by Indonesian authorities, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos. The news was confirmed during an ambush interview on Thursday, where Abalos shared that Philippine National Police Chief, Police General Rommel Marbil, had reported the detainment of Guo’s companions.
A report by GMA Integrated News’ John Consulta identified the detained individuals as Cassandra Li Ong and Sheila Guo, Alice Guo’s sister. The two were reportedly intercepted by local authorities in Indonesia as they were attempting to leave the country. They are expected to be returned to the Philippines soon.
Local authorities are continuing their manhunt for Alice Guo, who is believed to be hiding in Batam, Indonesia. Ong, one of the detained individuals, was the authorized representative of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) involved in illegal activities raided in Porac, Pampanga. Alice Guo faces charges related to a similar raid in Bamban.
Regarding the reasons for the detention of the two women, Abalos mentioned that he is still verifying the details but emphasized the coordination between Philippine and Indonesian authorities through diplomatic channels. This development comes as Guo remains on the immigration lookout bulletin due to ongoing investigations into her true identity and her connections to illegal POGO activities. The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Guo, whose real name is Guo Hua Ping, fled to Indonesia after leaving the Philippines for Malaysia in mid-July.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced that more charges will be filed against Guo in the coming weeks, as efforts continue to bring her back to the Philippines. Meanwhile, Guo has denied all allegations through her lawyer, Atty. Stephen David, who maintains that she is still in the Philippines.