Alice Guo to Be Held in Former Sen. De Lima’s Detention Room: PNP
ALICE GUO – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said controversial mayor Alice Guo will be detained in former Sen. Leila De Lima’s custodial room.
Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo has returned to the Philippines after being arrested in Indonesia. Her arrest followed the Philippine government’s request for international assistance in locating her.
Guo faces multiple accusations and complaints in the Philippines, including alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in Tarlac. Authorities have also raised concerns about her identity.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) discovered that her fingerprints matched those of Gua Hua Ping, a Chinese national who entered the country in 2003, suggesting that Guo and Gua Hua Ping might be the same person. Before Guo’s arrest, her alleged sister, Shiela Guo, was also detained in Indonesia and deported to the Philippines.
On Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that Alice Guo would be held in the same room that former Sen. Leila de Lima occupied during her seven-year legal battle. At a press conference, PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo described the room as “simple,” with basic amenities like a restroom, a small table, a bed, and a ceiling fan, but no air conditioning.
“Yang detention facility na yan ay isang payak na kwarto, may CR, may maliit na table at higaan, walang aircon. Ceiling fan lang,” Fajardo said.
“This is the same room na in-occupy ni Sen. De Lima nung siya po ay ma-detain sa custodial facility,” the spokesperson added.
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The PNP emphasized that Alice Guo would not receive any special treatment while in their custody, as she faces charges for allegedly supporting illegal POGO operations in Bamban. Despite having the option to post bail, Guo’s legal team chose not to, leading to her detention at the PNP facility rather than at the Senate.
De Lima, who had been jailed for nearly seven years on drug-related charges during the Duterte administration, was eventually acquitted of all charges, which she claimed were politically motivated due to her opposition to Duterte’s war on drugs.