The Philippine National Police (PNP) has released the latest photograph of Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, while in police custody in Indonesia. Guo, who was ousted from her mayoral position earlier this year due to corruption allegations, was arrested by Indonesian authorities following an international manhunt led by the PNP in collaboration with Interpol.
Guo fled the Philippines after multiple warrants of arrest were issued against her in connection with cases involving graft, corruption, and embezzlement of public funds. Reports indicate that she was found hiding in a remote area of Bali, Indonesia, where she was taken into custody by local law enforcement. The photograph, released by the PNP, shows Guo in handcuffs, appearing disheveled, as she faces an uncertain future.
PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. commended the joint efforts of Philippine and Indonesian law enforcement agencies in successfully tracking down Guo. “Her arrest serves as a strong message that no one is above the law,” Acorda said. “We will continue to work closely with our international counterparts to ensure that fugitives face justice.”
The former mayor’s capture marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on local officials involved in corruption. The PNP had placed Guo on their most-wanted list after she evaded arrest and disappeared earlier this year. According to sources, she had been moving between different Southeast Asian countries to avoid capture.
Guo is expected to be extradited to the Philippines, where she will face charges related to the misuse of public funds, amounting to millions of pesos, during her time in office. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is already coordinating with the Indonesian government to expedite the legal process of her return.
Her case has drawn widespread public attention, as it highlights the ongoing issue of corruption among local government officials in the Philippines. Guo’s arrest has sparked discussions about the need for stronger measures to prevent public officials from fleeing the country to escape legal accountability.
As the extradition process moves forward, the Filipino public eagerly awaits further developments on the legal proceedings against Alice Guo.