Shiela Guo appears before the Senate to face queries about her sister Alice Guo’s escape from Philippine jurisdiction. (Screengrab/ Senate YouTube)
MANILA, Philippines — Alice Guo’s sister, Shiela, personally appeared before the Senate on Tuesday to face a public inquiry to find out how the dismissed Bamban mayor could “escape” Philippine jurisdiction despite an outstanding arrest warrant and lookout bulletin.
The public inquiry is being conducted by the Senate’s subcommittee on justice and human rights, presided over by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Earlier, justice panel chairperson Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel III said one of the questions that they intend to resolve is the point of exit Alice used to leave the Philippines.
READ: Sheila Guo, Cassandra Ong back in PH after arrest in Indonesia
Pimentel said that officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs would also be invited, noting the need to determine how to disable the passports of individuals deemed as “fugitives from justice.”
“Nakatakas gamit ang passport ng Pilipinas, ano ang ating remedyo?” he said.
(She was able to escape using her Philippine passport. What is our remedy?)
READ: Senate tasks 3 committees to look into Alice Guo’s ‘escape’ from PH
Also present during the public inquiry are officials from the following agencies:
- Department of Justice
- Office of the Solicitor General
- Department of the Interior and Local Government
- Department of Transportation
- Bureau of Immigration
- National Bureau of Investigation
- Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
- Manila International Airport Authority
- Philippine Ports Authority
- Maritime Industry Authority
- Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission
- Philippine National Police
- Anti-Money Laundering Council
- Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking
Shiela and Cassandra Ong were apprehended in Indonesia last Wednesday (August 21) and were immediately brought back to the Philippines on Thursday (August 22). Alice was not with them at the time of apprehension.