Philippine authorities on early Friday morning presented dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to the media after she arrived in the Philippines following her deportation in Indonesia.
Guo wore an orange shirt with the words “CIDG detainee,” a uniform of those arrested by the authoriies and detained.
Abalos said she was in handcuffs that were covered by the white jacker she was holding.
For most of the press conference, Guo had her back to members of the media. She only faced the media momentarily when she explained the photo taken with her, Abalos, and PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Marbil.
“May death threats, humingi ako ng tulong sa ka nila. Masaya ako… I feel safe,” Guo said.
(There were death threats and I asked for help from them. I was happy… I feel safe.)
Asked by the media to remove her black facemask, Guo refused.
Guo left the country in July amid a Senate investigation into the alleged illegal activities of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operaion in her town.
She was also ordered arrested by the Senate because of her repeated failure to attend the hearings.
Guo is facing complaints for human trafficking before the Department of Justice.
The Regional Trial Court of Capas, Tarlac on Thursday afternoon issued a warrant for her arrest on graft charges.
Abalos said it was already on the plane that Guo was read the charges against her before the Tarlac court. The warrant was issued late Thursday afternoon.
He said the basis of Guo’s arrest in Indonesia was the arrest order from the Senate.
However, with the warrant of arrest, Guo will spend time in Camp Crame before she will be brought to Tarlac on Friday morning.
If she posts bail, the Senate is expected to take her into custody because of being cited in contempt.
Abalos said Philippine authorities went to Indonesia without certainty of bringing Guo back to the country.
He said it was made possible through a memorandum of understanding between the Philippine and Indonesian police.
Abalos said they had to bring home Guo before 1 a.m. because Indonesian laws require a charge to be filed in 24 hours, otherwise, the detainee must be released.
He said the private plane that brought Guo home was owned by a friend. He said the government didn’t have to spend for the use of the plane. —NB, GMA Integrated News
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