Gov’t working on urgent return of Sheila Guo, Cassandra Ong to PH

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos says hte government has been working with Indonesian authorities for the immediate return of Sheila Guo and Cassandra Ong to the Philippines. The sister and business partner of dismissed Tarlac town mayor Alice Guo were intercepted in Indonesia, according to Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Marcos said the government targets to bring Sheila Guo and Ong back to the Philippines “within a day.” (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / Agence France-Presse)

MANILA, Philippines — The government has been working with Indonesian authorities for the immediate return of Sheila Guo and Cassandra Ong to the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. disclosed this Thursday after the sister and business partner of dismissed Tarlac town mayor Alice Guo were intercepted in Indonesia.

Marcos said the government targets to bring Sheila Guo and Ong back to the Philippines “within a day.”

“They were intercepted… in Indonesia, and we are now, of course, in coordination with the Indonesian government and the agencies arranging for them to be brought back,” he said in a chance interview.

“Siguro (maybe) within a day,” he added.

READ: Alice Guo’s 2 companions arrested in Indonesia – Abalos

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. earlier reported that Sheila Guo and Ong had been arrested in Indonesia. The two were alleged companions of Alice Guo, who left the Philippines in July using her Philippine passport to exit the country.

READ: Arrest of Sheila Guo, Ong in Indonesia confirms Pogo links – DOJ

Senator Raffy Tulfo, meanwhile, said Sheila Guo and Ong are set to arrive in the Philippines at 5:05 p.m. on Thursday via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 540 from Jakarta.

Senate President Francis Escudero said the Senate would take custody of Sheila Guo. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, said it would take custody of Ong, who has an outstanding arrest order from the lower chamber.