The Philippines Department of Justice announced on Wednesday (September 4) that Alice Guo, a former Chinese-Filipino mayor accused of having connections with a Chinese criminal group, has been arrested in Tangerang, Indonesia.
Alice Guo, 35, the former mayor of Banban City, was wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to participate in a hearing regarding her alleged ties to the Chinese criminal group.
She is suspected to be a Chinese Communist spy. Claiming to be a Filipino citizen, she stated that she is the illegitimate daughter of a Chinese father and a Filipino maid, raised on a pig farm without any friends.
However, records show that during her elementary school years in the Philippines, Alice Guo was registered as a Chinese citizen.
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed a match in fingerprints between Alice Guo and a Chinese woman named Guo Hua Ping who entered the country with a Chinese passport in 2003.
She denied being a Chinese Communist spy, insisting that she is a victim of “malicious accusations.” However, after the Philippine Senate issued an arrest order, she fled the country. It is reported that she illegally entered Malaysia, flew to Singapore with accomplices, and eventually made her way to Indonesia.
The Philippines Department of Justice stated on Wednesday, “Our immigration authorities have verified this development and confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently detained by the Indonesian police at Jatanras Mabes Polri.”
The statement mentioned, “Ms. Guo was arrested at midnight on Tuesday in Tangerang, Jakarta, Indonesia.”
Various law enforcement agencies in the Philippines, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), jointly submitted money laundering charges against Alice Guo and 35 other individuals to the Department of Justice last month.
The AMLC accuses Alice Guo and her associates of laundering over 100 million pesos (approximately $1.8 million) in criminal activities.
Alice Guo’s lawyer, Stephen David, has not released a statement at this moment.
Authorities in the Philippines stated that Alice Guo, who was relieved of her mayor position, fled the country in July, traveled to Malaysia and Singapore, and in August used a Philippine passport to enter Indonesia.
In March of this year, a raid was conducted on a casino in Banban Town. Law enforcement officials discovered an offshore gambling ring predominantly operated by Chinese nationals on land owned by Alice Guo. Nearly 700 slave laborers were rescued, and evidence of crimes including fraud, human trafficking, and kidnapping was seized.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla welcomed this development, stating, “We will ensure that all legal procedures are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed. The Department of Justice is committed to upholding justice and will continue to closely coordinate with Indonesian authorities to facilitate necessary legal proceedings.”
Alice Guo’s sister Shiela Guo and business partner Cassandra Li Ong were previously arrested in Indonesia and have been deported back to the Philippines.
During a Senate hearing, Shiela admitted to leaving the Philippines on a boat with Alice Guo.