Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on Arrest Order for Mayor Alice Guo, Others
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President said that the detention facilities for Mayor Alice Guo and others with arrest orders are ready in case of their arrest.
Currently, the authorities are in the search for suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo after an arrest order was issued by the Senate. She was cited for contempt after she skipped the June 26 and July 10 hearings set by the upper chamber.
Guo is facing accusations about her alleged involvement in the Philippine Offshore Gaming operations in her town. The suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor is also being questioned about her identity.
The fingerprints of Mayor Alice Guo matched with the fingerprints of Chinese national Guo Hua Ping according to the National Bureau of Investigation or NBI. There are also questions about her wealth after huge amounts were deposited in her bank accounts.
The Court of Appeals issued a Freeze Order on the assets of Mayor Alice Guo and several others who are accused of illegal POGO operations in Bamban, Tarlac. A money-laundering case was also filed against the suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor.
Following her absence from the Senate hearings, Guo was cited for contempt. Senate President Chiz Escudero approved the letter of the Senate committee that cited the suspended Mayor for contempt.
An arrest order was released against Mayor Guo last Saturday. The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) was given 24 hours to serve the arrest orders. Aside from Guo, seven others have arrest orders and only Guo’s account was found as of now.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian believes that Mayor Alice Guo’s hiding now after all her registered addresses were visited by the authorities and she cannot be located. The authortities have also visited her farm in Tarlac as well as her garments factories.
Recently, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero gave a statement ensuring the safety of those with arrest orders within the Senate premises. Based on a report on GMA News, Escudero guaranteed the security of Guo as well as anyone who will be detained in the Senate.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said that the detention facilities for Mayor Alice Guo and others with arrest orders have already been prepared in case of arrest. According to him, together with General Ancan, they have already identified the detention facilities.
Gatchalian earlier said that a hold departure order was issued so he believes that Guo is still in the country. More updates may be posted soon…