MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the government will sanction those behind the reported departure of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on early Wednesday, the Chief Executive said an investigation is underway to determine who played a role in Guo’s escape.
“The departure of Alice Guo has laid bare the corruption that undermines our justice system and erodes public trust,” said Marcos. “Let me be clear: Heads will roll.”
“We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided in her flight,” he added. “A full-scale investigation is already underway, and those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal interest above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity and justice,” President Marcos further said.
President Marcos’ remarks came after Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday ordered the cancellation of Guo’s Philippine passport following her supposed escape.
Bersamin, in his memorandum, noted that Guo is the subject of a Senate arrest order for her repeated failure to attend the Senate inquiry on illegal POGO activities.
The Palace official also cited the New Philippine Passport Act in ordering the cancellation of Guo’s passport.
Meanwhile, the Philippine government has notified the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) about the case of Guo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday.
“So batay sa information ko mula sa DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) ay the Philippine passports of Guo, her siblings Wesley and Sheila, and Cassandra Ong have also been reported to the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime and Interpol for their appropriate action,” Hontiveros said in a press conference.
According to Hontiveros, this means that the Interpol can now determine what kind of action it would take to accommodate Philippines’ request.
“Nagsisimula nang lumiit talaga ang mundong ginagalawan nina Guo Hua Ping at ng pamilya nya dahil hindi lamang Philippine government kung hindi pati Interpol ay may official na pagpapansin na sa kanila,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros on Monday disclosed that Guo, who was also identified as Chinese citizen Guo Hua Ping, has left the country on July 18 for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Bureau of Immigration then said on Tuesday that Guo is currently in Indonesia and that there was no recorded departure of the controversial mayor./PN
