Crime
Philippine Department of Justice: Fugitive ex-mayor Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia
Alice Leal Guo, a fugitive and former Philippine mayor allegedly linked to Chinese criminal syndicates, was arrested in Indonesia on 3 September, the Philippine DOJ confirmed. Wanted by the Philippine Senate for evading a criminal inquiry, Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, was apprehended near midnight in Tangerang city, Jakarta.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Alice Leal Guo, a fugitive and former mayor in the Philippines accused of having links to Chinese criminal syndicates, has been arrested in Indonesia, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday (4 September).
Alice, also known by her Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, is wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend a senate inquiry into her alleged criminal connections.
According to Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police, Guo was apprehended at 11:58 p.m. in Tangerang city in Jakarta on Tuesday (3 September).
“This development has been confirmed by our Immigration counterparts, who have verified that Ms. Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri,” the statement read.
In a separate Facebook post, Senator Risa Hontiveros also confirmed Guo’s arrest in Indonesia, expressing gratitude to the Indonesian authorities.
Hontiveros, who chairs a Senate Committee, said she expects Guo to face the Senate hearing soon.
“We appreciate the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) commitment to hand her over to the Senate after she has been processed,” she said, adding that the Senate will hold accountable anyone who aided in Guo’s escape.
Last month, Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), jointly filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others before the DOJ.
Guo and her co-conspirators were accused of laundered over 100 million pesos (US$1.8 million) in proceeds from criminal activities.
Guo, who was removed from her position as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, fled the country in July.
She traveled to Malaysia and Singapore before eventually reaching Indonesia in August, using her Philippine passport.
During a hearing on 27 August, her sister, Sheila Guo, revealed that she, Alice, and their brother Wesley used three different boats to escape from the Philippines to Sabah, Malaysia.
Earlier, on 21 August, Sheila and Guo’s business associate, Cassandra Li Ong, were arrested in Batam, Indonesia, while attempting to return to Singapore. They were subsequently deported to the Philippines the following day.
On 19 August, Senator Risa Hontiveros first disclosed that Alice Guo might have already fled the Philippines in July. She noted that the 38-year-old had traveled to Singapore to meet her parents, Lin Wen Yi (林文怡) and Guo Jianjiang (郭建奖).
Hontiveros also revealed that Zhang Jie, a Singaporean citizen, assisted ex-mayor Alice Guo’s group by booking their hotel in Batam.
Zhang Jie was identified as the former president of Lucky South 99, an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. Lucky South 99, a previously licensed POGO, was raided in June, with several alleged crimes, including torture, reported at the site.
Alice Guo Accused of Supporting Illicit Activities
When Alice Guo was elected as the mayor of Bamban, her family in China published a congratulatory message: “Ms. Alice Leal GUO, also known as Guo Huaping, the daughter of Mr Guo Jianjiang of Chaodai Village, Jinjing Town, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, was elected Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac Province, Philippines, on May 9, 2022, becoming the city’s first female mayor.”
ALARMING! Is the country infiltrated by Chinese Militias and Sleeper Agents?@senatePH @HouseofRepsPH
How did we end in this dangerous situation? pic.twitter.com/Elaxyeo8SW— Ricky S (@saudiboy2) May 11, 2024
Since May 2024, she has been under investigation for her alleged involvement in illegal scam operations.
Guo faced accusations of backing a POGO hub in Bamban that was raided last March, where authorities uncovered evidence of human trafficking, illegal detention, physical abuse, and torture.
Guo is also allegedly connected to Fujian-born individuals Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying, both convicted in Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering case.
On 13 July, the Senate ordered Guo’s arrest along with some family members after she failed to appear twice for hearings related to the scam centres. However, she has since gone missing.
Guo earlier denied allegations of criminal connections, asserting that she had no ties to or knowledge of illegal Pogo operations.
