Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (File photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Where did Alice Guo take off?
This was the main question that the Senate panels on justice, public services, and women will seek to answer once they begin their investigation into dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s “escape” from Philippine jurisdiction.
Her reported exit comes despite an existing arrest warrant and a look-out order.
The newly named Senate justice panel chairperson and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, in a radio interview on Thursday, said that the probe is scheduled for next week.
“On Tuesday,” said Pimentel when he was asked over Radyo 630 when the probe would begin.
“Ang naimbita po will be — of course, [the] National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, ang ating transportation. Siguro ang airport – itong main airport – kasi kailangan nating i-establish kung saan ‘yung point of origin eh. Saan ba naka-take off?” said Pimentel.
(What we have invited so far – of course, the NBI, BI and our transportation. Maybe someone from the airport — this main airport – because we have to establish where the point of origin is. Where did she take off?)
According to Pimentel, those persons who appeared in the previous hearings held by the Senate panel on women headed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, especially Guo’s representatives, will also attend the probe.
“Ang panibagong feature nito is number one, yung mga nag imbestiga kung nakalabas na ba ng bansa o hindi. Ano ‘yung mga information nila? Tapos, ‘yung mga posibleng exit points natin, and most likely, itong mga airport,” said Pimentel.
(As for the new feature, number one is those tasked with investigating if Guo has, indeed, left the country or not. What is their information? Then, we will also tackle the possible exit points and, most likely, these airports.)
READ: Senate tasks 3 committees to look into Alice Guo’s ‘escape’ from PH
He then noted that officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs will also be invited, considering 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 asked.
(She was able to escape using a Philippine passport. What is our remedy?)