THE Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that the Indonesian authorities are now holding two of the companions of embattled former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
According to PNP Spokesman PCol. Jean Fajardo Indonesian authorities were able to flag Katherine Cassandra Ong, tagged in the Porac, Pampanga Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), and the former mayor’s sister, Sheila Guo.
“Hawak na po nila si Sheila Guo at Cassandra Ong,” Fajardo said.
“Na-hold sila August 21 (2024) around 6:45 pm,” she added.
Fajardo said after reports that the former Bamban Mayor had fled the country, the PNP had immediately sought the assistance of their counterparts which resulted in the arrest of Guo and Ong.
Courtesy: Raffy Tulfo in Action
She said that the order of Malacanang to cancel the passports of Guo and company led to the arrest.
“If you recall, napabalita na allegedly nakaalis si Alice Guo. Agad kaming nagtrabaho… its os coordinated with counterparts. Remember that nag-request ang Philippine government sa cancellation ng passport because of that, nakansel ang passport they are held,” she said.
It was not detailed as to how the suspects were actually arrested.
Courtesy: Raffy Tulfo in Action
But sources within the PNP said that the two were about to leave Indonesia when they were intercepted by local authorities there.
Earlier, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said that at least two of the companions of embattled former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo have been arrested as is now under the authorities in Indonesia.
“I received a report last night galing kay Chief PNP na dalawa sa kasama niya ay naka-detain na sa Indonesia,” Abalos was quoted as saying.
Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez had confirmed that Katherine Cassandra Ong, tagged in the Porac, Pampanga Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), is now under the custody of Indonesian authorities.
“Considering the communication that was sent to us as well that Cassandra Li Ong was already in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration of Indonesia. And as a matter of fact, our police attaché and the PNP chief [are] in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration of Indonesia,” Fernandez said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government will “expose” the culprits who allowed dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo to leave the country, and vowed that they will face the full brunt of the law.
Marcos pointed out that Guo’s departure “laid bare” the corruption in the country’s justice system which “erodes public trust.”
