Alice Guo, a former mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, accused of having ties to Chinese criminal syndicates, has been deported to the Philippines after being arrested in Indonesia. Guo’s arrest, which took place on Tuesday night in a hotel in Tangerang, Indonesia, marks a significant turn in a high-profile investigation linking her to financial scams and human trafficking.
The Philippine Department of Justice confirmed that Guo, who had been on the run since July, was taken into custody by Indonesian authorities. Her deportation follows months of speculation and legal scrutiny over her involvement in criminal activities, including an online casino operation raided in Bamban earlier this year. The raid revealed evidence of human trafficking, financial fraud, and elaborate underground tunnels, drawing national attention.
Investigators and senators have suggested that Guo, though presenting herself as a Filipino, maybe a Chinese national. One senator even questioned if Guo was acting as a “Chinese spy,” adding to the intrigue surrounding the case. Guo has consistently denied these allegations, stating that she is the “love child” of a Chinese man and a Filipina helper, raised on a pig farm in Bamban. However, her claims about her background have been widely ridiculed, with inconsistencies in her birth records and education history coming to light during Senate hearings.
In July, the Senate issued a warrant for Guo’s arrest after she failed to appear at a hearing investigating criminal activities in her town. The Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council has since filed multiple charges against her, accusing her and 35 others of laundering over 100 million pesos (approx. £1.3 million). Additionally, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has brought human trafficking charges against her, which are currently under review by the Office of the Prosecutor.
Reports indicate that Guo fled the Philippines in July, traveling to Malaysia, Singapore, and ultimately Indonesia, using a Philippine passport. Her lawyer previously stated that Guo was “traumatized” by the experience of testifying before the Senate, and she was criticized online for what many perceived as her inability to answer basic questions about her personal history.
During the hearings, discrepancies were found in her birth certificate, which was not registered until 17. Further, a senator uncovered evidence that contradicted her claims about her education. Guo was also questioned about her wealth, particularly her ownership of luxury items, including a pink and black helicopter and a McLaren 620R sports car. However, she claimed the latter was borrowed from a friend.
Adding to the controversy, the Philippine Election Commission confirmed that fingerprints found on Guo’s election records matched those of a Chinese citizen, casting further doubt on her true identity. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. commented on the matter last month, promising a full investigation into how Guo escaped the country. He warned that “those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
As of now, it is unclear when Guo will face extradition proceedings to the Philippines.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
