President Marcos issued a stern warning to fugitives that they will soon be brought to justice following the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also known as Gua Hua Ping, in Jakarta yesterday.
“Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice. Such is an exercise in futility. The arm of the law is long and it will reach you,” President Marcos said.
Guo was apprehended in Tangerang City, Indonesia, around 1 a.m. on Sept. 4.
Other high-profile fugitives include Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is the subject of an arrest warrant that police have been trying to serve at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound for 13 days now; and former corrections chief Gerald Bantag who has been charged for the murder of broadcaster Percival Mabasa in 2022.
Former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., on the other hand, who is facing murder charges for the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others last year, was arrested in Dili, East Timor in March.
Mr. Marcos thanked the Indonesian government for its cooperation, which he said was crucial in the arrest of Guo.
“I congratulate all law enforcement personnel who made this apprehension possible. The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished, but on their behalf, accept my thanks,” he said.
“The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian government for their assistance on this matter. The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible,” he added.
The President reiterated his firm resolve to hold accountable anyone implicated in aiding Guo escape the country.
“All of those who are implicated in assisting Alice Guo to leave the Philippines illegally as a fugitive from justice will certainly pay the price,” he said.
“You’re asking who will be booted out? It’s not just that we’ll kick them out. We’re also going to file charges against them because what they did is against the law and goes against all the interests of the Philippine judicial system,” he added.
Mr. Marcos earlier said he already has a “very, very good idea” as to who should be held responsible, including those from the Bureau of Immigration.
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives, for its part, sought an “immediate, independent, and transparent” investigation following the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia.
One of the bloc’s members, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas said the escape and eventual capture of Guo highlighted systemic failures in governance that must be urgently addressed.
“Mayor Guo’s arrest is a stark reminder of the deep-seated issues within our government…The cases of human trafficking, particularly in POGOs in Bamban, are proof that its operations in our country should be abolished,” she said.
House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro added: “Alice Guo must now face the charges against her. It is essential for her to confront these allegations to either clear her name or be held accountable.”
Senate President Francis Escudero said Guo’s arrest was a “crucial breakthrough” in local efforts to dismantle organized crime networks linked to POGOs.
“Her capture not only moves us closer to bringing her to justice but also offers a chance to uncover the illegal POGO operations that have plagued our country,” Escudero said.
“With Alice Guo in custody, we can move forward with holding her accountable for her alleged crimes and uncovering the full extent of her criminal activities,” he added.
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