TACLOBAN CITY – Rep. Jude Acidre of the Tingog party-list group calls for an investigation as to how Bamban Mayor Alice Guo was able to leave the Philippines despite being on an immigration lookout list issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
“Flight is an admission of guilt, and the disappearance of Alice Guo only underscores the need to intensify our investigation,” he said.
Acidre suggested that while this might not require a separate investigation, it is certainly an issue that the quad committee needs to study closely.
“This couldn’t have happened without some cooperation or failure within the government,” he stressed.
“If flight is indeed an admission of guilt, then the suspicions and allegations against Alice Guo may hold some truth. Otherwise, why would she leave?” the lawmaker remarked.
Rep. Acidre also expressed concern over how the controversial mayor was able to leave the country despite stringent immigration protocols. “It’s alarming that the issue of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) seems to be part of a larger syndicate. Unfortunately, many in the government, especially in previous administrations, appear to have been complicit,” he said.
He expressed his support for the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to investigate how Guo managed to exit the country, despite the serious accusations against her.
“We need to identify who is responsible, not only for Guo’s departure but also for how the previous administration seemingly turned the Philippines into a haven for crime,” he asserted.
This call for investigation comes after Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed on Monday that Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, left the country as early as July. The Bureau of Immigration confirmed this but indicated that there were no records of her departure in their database.
Guo is accused of being involved in illegal POGO operations in her town, which were raided last March. She is also facing multiple legal challenges from various government agencies. Last month, the Ombudsman dismissed her from her position as mayor.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
