Former Mayor Alice Guo, accused of connections to Chinese criminal syndicates and laundering over 100 million pesos ($1.79 million), returned to Manila on Friday, September 6th, following her deportation from Indonesia. Guo, also identified as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was arrested by Indonesian authorities on September 5 after fleeing the Philippines in July. She is wanted by the Philippine Senate for failing to attend a congressional inquiry into her alleged criminal activities.
The Senate began investigating Former Mayor Alice Guo in May after a March raid on a casino in Bamban, where she served as mayor, uncovered scams linked to Chinese-backed operations on land partially owned by Guo. On July 13, the Senate issued an arrest warrant after Guo missed two hearings, citing health reasons. Guo denied any criminal connections and claimed to be a natural-born Filipino citizen, though her citizenship was questioned. Her case gained national attention amid rising tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly regarding disputes in the South China Sea.
On August 30, Philippine authorities filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others, accusing them of laundering over 100 million pesos from criminal activities. The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other agencies also sought to confiscate 6 billion pesos worth of assets, including luxury properties and vehicles, allegedly obtained through illegal dealings. By that time, Guo had fled the country, traveling to Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia using her Philippine passport.
After her arrest in Indonesia, Guo was deported for immigration violations and arrived in Manila on September 6 aboard a private plane, accompanied by Philippine law enforcement officials, including Interior Minister Benjamin Abalos Jr. At a press briefing, Guo asked for protection, citing death threats. Abalos assured her of security but urged her to disclose the full extent of her involvement, stating that it was the only way to bring the situation to an end.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also called on Guo to cooperate fully and disclose details of how offshore gaming operators, known locally as POGOs, had branched out into criminal activities. Marcos had banned the online gambling industry in July, emphasizing that evasion would not help Guo’s case. She is scheduled to appear before the Senate to face further questioning.
