Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos explains his side in this photo with Alice Guo.
In a press briefing, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos explained himself after this photo with Alice Guo went viral online.
Former mayor of Bamban Alice Guo was arrested and now in the Philippines. She is now a detainee who will be facing several counts of various complaints and arrest warrants. Guo was arrested in Indonesia and the Indonesian authorities was able to seize her after 18 days.
However, despite her arrest, Guo remained in a happy disposition and was even smiling in photos with other people. Her effort in putting up a happy and calm front has disturbed many people. The photos of her smiling during the transfer and with the other officials have creeped out the other people. She seemed unbothered and unafraid.
A photo of Guo with Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Marbil went viral online. It was immediately surrounded with controversy as the three of them were smiling, including Guo whose both hands even did the peace sign.
In a press conference upon their arrival from Indonesia, Abalos addressed this. He explained his side of the story regarding the controversial photo that received criticisms not just from the netizens but as well as several lawmakers.
“Nag-request si Alice na kausapin kami ni chief and sinabi talaga na meron siyang death threats and in-assure ko siya na death threats ‘wag niyang alalahanin. Ang importante, sabihin niya ang totoo, lahat,” Abalos explained.
She accordingly talked to them and mentioned about the death threats. On his part, he assured her to not worry about it and that what’s important is for her to tell the truth. The photo was accordingly just for documentation and they did not what she doing as they basically looking at the camera for a photo.
“Pina-document namin, para malinaw ito. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong ginagawa niya. Siyempre, nakatingin ako sa camera,” he said.
Guo confirmed that she has indeed asked for Abalos and Marbil’s help because of the death threats she received. She even added that she felt safe after seeing these two officials.
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