The Indonesian government has requested a prisoner swap for Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, who is currently in Indonesia, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. Indonesian authorities are seeking to exchange Guo for Australian drug kingpin Gregor Johan Haas.
Haas was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Bogo, Cebu, on May 15, following a Red Notice issued by Interpol. He is identified as the leader of a drug smuggling operation and is facing a death sentence in Indonesia. Haas is dealing with serious charges related to drug smuggling, which prompted the Indonesian government’s decision to propose a swap for Guo.
Meanwhile, Guo was arrested earlier today by authorities in Tangerang City, Indonesia, and is now in the custody of the Indonesian police. Her case is considered serious due to human trafficking complaints linked to the raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban. Guo is suspected of involvement in illegal human trafficking connected to POGO operations in the Philippines.
Guo’s legal troubles in the Philippines continue to mount. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), she is facing charges related to money laundering and human trafficking. Additionally, there is a quo warranto petition against her in a Manila court, seeking to invalidate her position as mayor. Another petition in a Tarlac court aims to annul her birth certificate.
This situation adds further complexity to the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Philippines. Discussions regarding the prisoner swap are ongoing, but no final decision has been made yet. Indonesia’s request to exchange Haas for Guo is seen as a critical step in diplomatic negotiations, especially since Haas’ case involves a death penalty sentence.
As of now, no decision has been reached, but authorities from both countries are handling the matter, and negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days. The outcome of this potential prisoner exchange could have significant implications for diplomatic relations between the two nations.