Philippine gov’t was given a tight deadline for Guo handover — Abalos
MANILA, Philippines — Indonesian law enforcement authorities gave a tight deadline for the handover of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo to Philippine authorities, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos revealed.
Abalos disclosed this during a press conference in the early morning of Friday, September 6, when the chartered plane carrying Guo from Indonesia landed at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City.
He explained that the Philippine side rented a private plane because Indonesian authorities gave them until 1 a.m. to retrieve Guo.
“Dahil nadakip ng Indonesian authorities si Alice Guo, kung hindi ‘to aayusin ng Pilipinas, baka pakawalan nila si Alice Guo,” Abalos said.
(Because the Indonesian authorities captured Alice Guo, if the Philippines didn't resolve this, they might release her.)
“Dahil sa panahon na ‘yon, agad tayo naghanap ng eroplano. Hindi tayo aabot sa mga flight,” he added.
(Because at that time, we immediately arranged for a plane. We wouldn't have made it on the available flights.)
In an ambush interview after the press conference, Abalos said Indonesian authorities extended the deadline for Guo's handover.
Abalos also shared that when they flew to Indonesia, there was no guarantee they would successfully apprehend Guo.
“Kung umuwi kami ngayon at ‘di namin siya kasama, malamang pinagtatawanan na kami ngayon. Yet we took the risk,” Abalos said.
(If we had come home without her, people would probably be laughing at us now. Yet, we took the risk.)
This marks the first time Guo has been handcuffed after being processed by Immigration authorities. She had been at large since July 2023 due to a Senate arrest warrant for contempt for failing to appear in a Senate investigation regarding her alleged involvement in unlawful activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in her locality.
Why is she smiling? When asked why she was smiling in photos, Guo said she felt “safe” despite the death threats against her.
“I confirm everything Secretary Abalos said. I have received death threats, and I asked for their help. I am happy to see them,” Guo said in her first statement to Philippine media.
During the handover of Guo to Philippine authorities on Thursday, she was seen asking Abalos for help, claiming she had received "death threats."
RELATED: Alice Guo seeks help amid alleged death threat
This was Guo's first time speaking to local media on Philippine soil since May 2024.
In the ambush interview, Abalos assured Guo of her safety.
“'Wag ka matakot, sabihin mo lahat, at proproteksyunan namin ang buhay mo,” Abalos told her.
(Don't be afraid, tell us everything, and we will protect your life.)
Guo was arrested in a hotel in Jakarta in the early morning of September 4. Upon her return to the Philippines, she is expected to be in Senate custody.
She faces multiple charges, including those related to her nationality and her alleged involvement in illegal POGO activities.
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