Heads will roll, PBBM vows after Alice Guo escapes

By Joseph Anthony A. Damgo

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday vowed to hold accountable government personnel who aided the departure of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

“The departure of Alice Guo has laid bare the corruption that undermines our justice system and erodes public trust,” President Marcos said in a statement.

“Let me be clear: Heads will roll,” the President stressed.

President Marcos said the administration will be compelled to “expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided” in Guo’s departure.

He added that a full-scale investigation “is already underway, and those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal interest above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity and justice,” President Marcos said.

The Office of the President (OP) has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the Philippine passports issued to Guo, her family, and a woman tied to a Philippine Online Gaming Operator (POGO).

Guo reportedly left the Philippines on July 18 using her Philippine passport. She flew to Singapore and then traveled to Indonesia.

in line with the President’s pronouncement, the Office of the President (OP) has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to facilitate the cancellation of the Philippine passports issued to dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, her family, and a woman tied to POGO operations.

In a memorandum dated August 20 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, the OP ordered the facilitation of the cancellation of Guo’s passport along with those of her kins Wesley Leal Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and POGO representative Katherine Cassandra Li Ong.

Bersamin cited Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, as the basis for canceling the said passports.

“Under the same law, one of the grounds for the cancellation of a Philippine passport is when the court issues an order for its cancellation as the holder is a fugitive from justice,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin also cited the arrest warrants against Guo and her family “for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices, in the probe into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).”

He also mentioned the criminal complaint filed against Guo for trafficking. Other cases are being prepared against Guo for her alleged involvement in POGO operations. Ong, one of the individuals whom Guo met in Singapore, was also cited in contempt by the House of Representatives for her failure to attend hearings.

Meanwhile, House leaders expressed their strong support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s statement on the escape of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, a key figure linked to illegal activities involving Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), and echoed his call for accountability among those responsible for her departure.

President Marcos has vowed that "heads will roll" following Guo's escape, promising to expose and hold accountable those who betrayed the public’s trust, amid growing concerns about how she managed to leave the country despite ongoing investigations into her activities.

House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin supported the President's stance, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding Guo's departure. 

“We really support the President kasi may ongoing investigation. However, we also would like to explore if indeed it is a flight or kasi contiguous kasi ang Pilipinas din doon sa malalapit na islands. You can go to Malaysia, you can go to like nearby areas and that should be explored and I think that is also where our borders can be tightened," Garin told a press conference.

Assistant Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V echoed Garin’s concerns and suggested additional measures to ensure Guo’s return to the Philippines. 

Ortega underscored the need to consider canceling Guo's passport to facilitate her return to the Philippines.

“At this point siguro pwede na ring i-consider ‘yung option of cancelling her passport para po maihatid po siya kung nasaan mang siyang bansa, maibalik po sa Pilipinas kasi napaka-importante po ng mga impormasyon na nalalaman niya at saka ‘yung mga problemang kailangan niyang harapin," Ortega said.

Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong expressed frustration over Guo’s escape, calling it an insult to the country’s justice system. 

“Iyong statement ni President na heads will roll, doon ako, para sa akin nakaka-insulto po ‘yun sa justice system ng ating bansa. I’m more concerned really of how she was able to fly out of the country," Adiong said. 

He emphasized the importance of holding those involved accountable, stating that anyone who assisted in Alice Guo’s escape must face the consequences, as her departure could not have happened without help from those linked to the ongoing investigation.

1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, meanwhile, highlighted the broader issue of corruption within various government agencies exposed by the POGO-related investigations. 

“Aside from that, I think this really highlights po yung social ills that POGO brings. We see that it's not just isolated to the issue of whether or not this person is able to run, whether or not this person is able to evade the law, but it speaks of yung nakakasilaw po talaga yung POGO; it seems to be it is corruption manifests in whatever branch of government," Gutierrez stated.

Adiong added that Guo’s escape is a stark reminder of how POGO operations have corrupted the system. 

“Nakaka-insulto ito, offensive sa ating justice system... It’s really insulting, noh? That's how the POGO corrupts the system," he said.

Ortega issued a direct appeal to Guo, urging her to return and cooperate with the investigation. 

“Mayor Alice Guo, if you’re listening, we call on you to return and help with the investigation. Importanteng harapin mo yung mga alegasyon at napakaimportante po nung mga impormasyon na makukuha sayo," Ortega said.