A porous border

Shiela Guo, the sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac, Mayor Alice Guo, told the Senate she, Alice, and brother Wesley Guo were picked up by a van that drove several hours to an unknown location where they rode a small boat for hours. They transferred to a large fishing boat and eventually to another ship that brought them to Malaysia. She claims not to know the port where they boarded the small boat which I find unbelievable. That could even be a public beach. For now, that’s the story she is giving. Her lawyer has requested an executive session to share more details on how they were able to flee the country. I’m hoping names will emerge.

Cassandra Ong, the official representative of unlicensed gambling hub Lucky South 99 in Pampanga, on the other hand, refused to attend the Senate hearings invoking her right against self-incrimination. I’m sure her lawyer had something to do with that. For now, we will let whatever laws apply to get her to talk.

What is clear is how porous our borders are, particularly the ports. It is also evident they were assisted in one way or another to be able to board the small boat and eventually sail to Malaysia. It must have been so easy to bribe or grease whoever was assigned to the port where they boarded the small boat. Sheila Guo claims they arrived at the unknown port around midnight. That should have raised questions from authorities. This also shows how the Coast Guard cannot cover such a vast area of water. A small boat traveling at night should have raised suspicion if they were discovered. Unless they were able to bribe everyone on their way to Malaysia.

I also have to ask; how did the Malaysian authorities handle their arrival? I’m sure documents have to be produced at the point of entry, showing they officially left the Philippines. She said they arrived in Malaysia and flew to Singapore where they met their parents. From there they boarded a ferry to Indonesia where Sheila Guo and Cassandra Ong were caught. Hopefully, the executive session requested by Sheila Guo will provide some answers that should lead to solutions regarding our porous border. I would want to see the names of people or even officials who assisted in their escape. I want to see heads roll as expressed by no other than President Bongbong Marcos Jr.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission believes Alice Guo, the principal figure in this sordid affair is still in Indonesia while her brother, Wesley, may have tried to enter Hong Kong. While she hasn’t been officially charged, cases are already being prepared along with the mountain of evidence the Senate has uncovered. As their world gets smaller, authorities should have a chance at nabbing her and bringing her back to face the music.