Fugitive “POGO Mayor” Alice Guo Arrested in Indonesia

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has been apprehended in Indonesia, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

“According to Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police, Ms. Guo was apprehended at 11:58 PM on September 3, 2024,” read a Department of Justice statement that was published by ABS-CBN.

Guo was detained early Wednesday morning in Tangerang City, located in the province of Banten, just west of Jakarta.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago reported that Indonesian authorities informed their counterparts about Guo’s detention around 1 a.m. He stated, “Hawak na ng Indonesian police.” (“She is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police.”)

Santiago added that the NBI is in communication with Indonesian officials about Guo’s immediate return to the Philippines. He mentioned, “Ang report na dumating sa amin, nahuli na raw ng Indonesian police kaninang madaling araw so nakikipag-coordinate na kami ‘yung immediate na pagbalik sa atin si Alice.” (“The report we received is that Indonesian police arrested Guo early morning today. So we are coordinating [with them] regarding the immediate return of Alice to the Philippines.”)

As of now, there are no details about whether Guo was with her brother Wesley Guo at the time of her arrest. Santiago confirmed that they only have information regarding Alice Guo’s detention.

Guo’s arrest follows her alleged escape from the Philippines over a month ago. According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, Guo was captured in Tangerang at 11:58 PM on September 3, 2024. “Yung pagtu-turn over sa atin ay pinag-uusapan na.” (“The turnover to us is being discussed.”)

Justice Secretary Boying Remulla praised the arrest, stating, “The arrest of Alice Guo is a testament to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice. We will ensure that all legal processes are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed.”

News of Guo’s arrest comes less than two weeks after the capture of her alleged accomplices Cassandra Li Ong and her purported sister Shiela in Batam, Indonesia. Shiela and Ong have since been returned to the Philippines and are now in custody.

Guo reportedly fled the Philippines on July 18. According to Senator Risa Hontiveros, Guo evaded border controls with the help of her siblings. They traveled from Bamban to Malaysia and then to Singapore before eventually meeting Ong in Batam.

Guo faces allegations related to the operation of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in her municipality. She has denied these accusations as well as claims about her being a Chinese national although authorities have established that she is a Chinese national whose real name is Guo Hua Ping.

Read related article: Alice Guo Escaped From PH Through Help of High-Ranking Police Officer