The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) denied reports that Indonesia demanded for the extradition of fugitive Australian drug trafficker Gregor Johann Haas in exchange for dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
In an interview over Teleradyo Serbisyo Thursday morning, PAOCC Executive Director Usec. Gilbert Cruz said it was never discussed with their Indonesian counterparts.
He said they only talked about the arrangements for the deportation of Guo and the return of Indonesians that PAOCC rescued from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu recently.
“There is no confirmation about that (prisoner swap demand). It just surfaced in media reports,” Cruz told veteran broadcaster Noli de Castro, citing the latest conversation he had with an officer from the Indonesian Embassy in the Philippines.
“We have not discussed anything about it. What we discussed is the arrest of Alice Guo and the Indonesians that we rescued following the raid at a POGO site in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu,” the PAOCC official said.
Cruz noted the Indonesian authorities thanked the Philippine government for rescuing their citizens. The Philippines through President Marcos also publicly acknowledged the support extended by Indonesia, which led to the arrest of Guo.
Haas has been in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration since May this year. Cruz said Indonesia has been requesting for his extradition, since he is facing serious charges, but it was not part of any discussions related to Guo’s deportation.
Meanwhile, the PAOCC official revealed they are now in hot pursuit of the individual, who provided assistance for Guo and her cohorts during their escape. Cruz described this person as “their boss” identified as a certain “Mr. Wong,” who reportedly heads their entire operations.
“That is who we’re after now. We are not the only ones interested in him, even the international authorities are interested in him because of his significant participation and involvement in money laundering, not just in our country but worldwide,” Cruz said in Tagalog.
Cruz said they are expecting Guo to return to the Philippines anytime within the week and as the weather permits. Manila is experiencing inclement weather this week attributed to the southwest monsoon rains enhanced by a recent severe tropical storm.
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