‘POGO mayor’ Alice Guo has reportedly been arrested in Indonesia, with confirmation from the Philippines’ Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation. Alice Guo was arrested in Jakarta on Tuesday and is in the custody of the Indonesian police.
Current expectations are for the official to be deported to the Philippines. Authorities are already preparing the criminal charges to be leveled against her.
Money laundering charges have already been leveled against Guo and 35 other individuals by the DOJ, over an estimated PHP7 billion ($123.82 million) in assets linked to a scam operation in central Luzon.
Those charged include Guo, her sister Shiela, Cassandra Ong and officials of Zun Yuan Technology, Hongsheng Gaming Technology and other firms.
A blue notice to Interpol was issued for Guo’s arrest, with a red notice expected once charges were filed, however her arrest now changes the scenario.
Guo’s money laundering charges allege that the official brought investors to her jurisdiction, including two individuals charged in the multi-billion-dollar money laundering case in Singapore.
It also alleges her continued involvement in other companies, concealment of funds, and other allegations.
Guo fled the Philippines in July, reportedly traveling through multiple countries before her arrest in Jakarta.
Her sister, Sheila, and business partner Cassandra Ong have already been arrested in the Philippines.
Following her arrest, lawmakers in the Philippines hope that Alice Guo’s arrest will pave the way for her to appear in ongoing probes by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Current expectations are for the official to be deported to the Philippines. Authorities are already preparing the criminal charges to be leveled against her.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros also congratulated Philippine and Indonesian authorities, expressing her gratitude to all involved in the capture.
“I expect Guo Hua Ping to appear before the Senate hearing as soon as possible. We appreciate the commitment of the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to present her to the Senate after processing,” she said.
