Alice Guo Arrested in Indonesia
ALICE GUO – The dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac has been arrested in Indonesia according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Alice Guo is a “Filipino-Chinese” businesswoman and politician who served as the mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, from June 30, 2022, until August 13, 2024. Her tenure was marked by controversy, particularly due to her alleged involvement in illegal activities related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Her political career unraveled when she was suspended in June 2024 by the Ombudsman after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft charges against her. The charges were connected to her supposed links to illegal POGO operations in her municipality. The situation escalated when a Senate inquiry linked her to illegal activities, including human trafficking and cybercrimes associated with the POGO compound in Bamban.
Further complicating her case were questions about her Filipino citizenship and inconsistencies in her personal documentation, leading to a petition to cancel her birth certificate. In July 2024, her assets were frozen, and an arrest warrant was issued, but she fled the Philippines, reportedly traveling to Malaysia, Singapore, and potentially Indonesia. On August 13, 2024, the Ombudsman dismissed her from office for grave misconduct, perpetually barring her from holding any public office.
Meanwhile, the former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac was arrested in Indonesia at 1:30 AM on Wednesday, as reported by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz confirmed the arrest. According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, Guo was apprehended in Tangerang City, located in Banten province, on Jakarta’s western border.
A source from the Bureau of Immigration reported that Guo was arrested by Indonesian authorities in an apartment or villa in Tangerang City, Indonesia. She allegedly moved from one hotel to another to evade authorities, staying in each location for only about two days.