Alice Guo, a former mayor in the Philippines accused of having links to Chinese criminal syndicates, has been arrested in Indonesia after fleeing the country in July. Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, was wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend a congressional probe into her alleged criminal ties. She has denied the accusations, claiming to be a natural-born Philippine citizen facing “malicious accusations”. The Philippine Justice Department confirmed her arrest in Tangerang City, Jakarta, stating that she is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police.
Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others last month. The AMLC alleged that Guo and her co-conspirators laundered over 100 million pesos (US$1.8 million) in proceeds from criminal activities. Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, did not provide immediate comments on the case. Guo was removed from her position as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province before fleeing the country, using her Philippine passport to travel to Malaysia, Singapore, and finally Indonesia in August.
The Senate probe into Guo’s alleged criminal connections began in May after a raid on a casino in Bamban town revealed scams being carried out from a facility partially owned by Guo. Authorities have accused her of involvement in criminal activities linked to Chinese syndicates. Guo has faced a series of accusations and investigations, with the Philippine government pursuing legal actions against her for money laundering charges. Despite her denials and claims of being a Philippine citizen, Guo has been targeted by various law enforcement agencies for her alleged criminal activities.
Guo’s arrest in Indonesia marks a significant development in the case against her, as Philippine authorities had been looking for her for several months. The collaboration between Indonesian and Philippine law enforcement allowed for her arrest, leading to her custody by the Indonesian Police. The Justice Department in the Philippines confirmed the arrest of Guo, signaling progress in the legal proceedings against her for money laundering and other criminal charges. Guo’s activities and alleged ties to Chinese criminal syndicates have raised concerns and prompted investigations into her financial transactions and dealings.
The arrest of Alice Guo in Indonesia highlights the international nature of criminal investigations and the cooperation between countries to address cross-border crimes. Guo’s case reflects the challenges faced by authorities in pursuing individuals involved in organized crime and money laundering activities. The Philippine government’s efforts to hold Guo accountable for her alleged criminal activities demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and combating illicit financial practices. Guo’s arrest represents a step towards justice for the victims of her alleged crimes, including the laundering of significant amounts of money and connections to criminal syndicates operating in the region. The legal proceedings against Guo are expected to continue as the case unfolds in both the Philippines and Indonesia.
