6-9-2024 (MANILA) Former Philippines mayor Alice Guo has been deported from Indonesia and returned to Manila, where she faces serious allegations of money laundering and connections to Chinese criminal syndicates. Guo, who also goes by the Chinese name Guo Hua Ping, arrived in the Philippine capital early Friday morning, marking the end of her brief flight from justice that began in July.
The former mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province is at the centre of a storm of controversy that has captivated the nation. Accused of laundering more than 100 million pesos, Guo had been evading a summons to appear before a Philippine Senate investigation into her alleged criminal associations.
Her return to Manila was orchestrated by Philippine law enforcement agencies, with Interior Minister Benjamin Abalos Jr personally overseeing her handover from Indonesian authorities in Jakarta. The high-profile nature of her case was evident as she touched down on Philippine soil aboard a private aircraft, surrounded by a contingent of law enforcement officials.
Upon her arrival, Guo made a startling claim, telling reporters, “I have received death threats and I am asking for the help of Philippine authorities.” This plea for protection was met with a measured response from Minister Abalos, who promised to ensure her safety but also urged her to come clean about her alleged activities.
“Disclose all the names in order to serve justice and so all this ends. That is the only way we can help her,” Abalos stated, highlighting the government’s stance on the matter.
The saga began to unfold publicly in March when law enforcement agencies raided a casino in Bamban, uncovering what they claim were scam operations run from a facility partially owned by Guo. This discovery prompted the Senate to launch an investigation in May, which Guo subsequently avoided by leaving the country.
Questions about Guo’s identity and citizenship have further complicated the case. While she maintains that she is a natural-born Philippine citizen, the National Bureau of Investigation reported in August that her fingerprints match those of a Chinese national named Guo Hua Ping. This revelation has cast doubt on the legitimacy of her election as mayor in 2022.
The gravity of the allegations against Guo is reflected in the actions taken by various Philippine agencies. The anti-money laundering council (AMLC) has filed multiple counts of money laundering against her and 35 others with the justice department. Additionally, an anti-graft office removed her from her position as mayor in August, citing grave misconduct related to her alleged ties to illegal gaming operations in Bamban.
