Alice Guo Wants to Surrender but Fears for Safety, Says Legal Counsel

Alice Guo has expressed her desire to surrender but remains fearful for her safety, according to her legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David. During a conversation on August 22, the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor reportedly reiterated her intention to turn herself in, but was concerned about the security risks involved.

David explained in an interview with ABS-CBN News, “Marami kasing threat, internal at saka external, we don’t have to elaborate on that, ‘yung mga talagang detailed na usapan bound kami ng lawyer-client privilege, pero basically gusto niyang sumuko.”

(“There are many threats, both internal and external. We don’t need to go into details, as our discussions are bound by lawyer-client privilege, but essentially, she wants to surrender.”)

David noted that the primary deterrent is the uncertainty regarding her security. “Ang nagde-deter lang yung 50-50 chance na papaano ang security kasi sabi ko nga maraming kalaban, hindi lang kasi gobyerno ang interested sa kanya, marami,” he said. (“The only thing deterring her is the 50-50 chance regarding her security, as there are many adversaries interested in her, not just the government.”)

The Philippine government has already requested an Interpol blue notice to expedite the search for Alice Guo, who has been determined to be a Chinese national whose real name is Guo Hua Ping.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said in a separate interview with the Inquirer: “Right now, we requested a blue notice, which will now obligate the other receiving countries to give us information on the whereabouts of a particular individual.”

David remains hopeful that Alice Guo might be persuaded to surrender now that her purported sister, Shiela Guo, has been provided with security. Shiela was arrested in Indonesia on August 21 along with POGO representative Cassandra Li Ong. During her appearance before the Senate, Shiela has maintained that she is not the biological sister of Alice.

Read related article: Shiela Guo Reveals She is Not Sister of Alice Guo; Shiela Could Turn State Witness

“Nakikita naman niya yung security ni Shiela. I think may proof naman na secured naman si Shiela saka mas relaxed ngayon si Shiela doon sa kanyang kalagayan,” David said. (“She can see the security being provided to Shiela. I think there is proof that Shiela is secured and more relaxed in her current situation.”)

David also spoke with the brother of Alice, Wesley, on August 31. Wesley did not disclose his location but inquired about Shiela’s condition and the case’s progress. The Bureau of Immigration is investigating reports suggesting Wesley might be in Hong Kong.

“Kay Wesley may mga natanggap tayong information that he is in Hong Kong, pero when we confirmed with Hong Kong authorities wala siyang sighting doon, wala silang entry doon sa kanilang bansa,” said Bureau of Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval. (“We have received information that Wesley might be in Hong Kong, but when we confirmed with Hong Kong authorities, there were no sightings of him or entry records.”)

The Guo camp is preparing to address new money laundering charges filed with the Department of Justice by the National Bureau of Investigation, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

David has also requested the Senate to release Shiela Guo from custody. “Basta sinabi ko sa kanya, basta yung katotohanan sabihin mo. Yung totoo kasi sa akin para kay Shiela, yung katotohanan will set her free, kasi ganoon talaga,” he said. (“I told her, just speak the truth. The truth will set Shiela free because that’s how it is.”)

David added that the Guo camp hopes the government will provide a photo of Alice Guo, who has been reportedly sighted in Jakarta, Indonesia. “Kung meron silang sightings sa kanya doon, sana meron silang photo… para at least, panatag yung pamilya at saka siyempre yung concerned sa kanya,” he said.

(“If they have sightings of her there, hopefully, they can provide a photo… so that the family and those concerned about her can be reassured.”)

Sandoval explained that Guo’s attempts to cross borders could affect jurisdiction. “Sa ngayon wala pa siyang attempt na magtawid ng borders kasi doon sila makakakuha ng jurisdiction over Mayor Alice Guo if she attempts to fly out or travel by ferry palabas ng Indonesia… I think kung hindi ako nagkakamali is 30 days tayong visa free in indonesia, so if they went past that over staying na sila,” he said.

(“Currently, she has not attempted to cross borders, as doing so would give jurisdiction over her if she tries to fly out or travel by ferry from Indonesia… I believe we have a 30-day visa-free period in Indonesia, so if they exceed that, they would be overstaying.”)

Read related article: Alice Guo, 35 Others Face 87 Counts of Money Laundering in P7 Billion Scheme