Sheila Guo, sister of Alice Guo, and Cassandra Ong, a business partner of the ousted mayor, talks to Indonesian authorities. PHOTO: PAOCC Usec Gilbert Cruz
MANILA, Philippines — Sheila Guo, sister of Alice Guo, and Cassandra Ong, a business partner of the ousted mayor, arrived at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Manila late Thursday afternoon.
They proceeded to the BI from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where the plane that transported them from Indonesia landed past 5 p.m. on August 22.
In a phone interview with reporters, Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said that Ong would have to go through an inquest at the BI.
“Cassandra Li Ong, who is charged not only with obstruction of justice but also the violation of the passport act, will have to go through an inquest,” he explained.
“Si Sheila Guo naman, na ang sa kanya naman ay immigration laws, they will have to detain her muna dito sa immigration,” he added.
(As for Sheila Guo, who has to face immigration laws, they will have to detain her first here at the immigration bureau.)
Clavano also said Sheila Guo and Ong will undergo a medical exam to make sure that they are in good condition.
It was unclear if they would be taken to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“That has yet to be seen because what we are thinking about are the arrest orders of the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Clavano said.
“Whichever will make more sense because the immigration facility is near the Senate, the NBI facilities are closer to the House,” he added.
Sheila Guo and Ong were arrested and detained at the Batam Special Class I Immigration Office on Wednesday, August 21, and handed to Philippine authorities earlier on Thursday.
READ: Arrest of Alice Guo’s sister, Ong in Indonesia confirms Pogo links – DOJ
Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla earlier said Sheila Guo and Ong would be placed under the custody of the NBI upon their return to the Philippines.
He said NBI investigators should question and debrief the two women first to determine what happened.
Remulla also said that he already asked the BI to prepare the necessary cases against the two women.
Also on Thursday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said alleged immigration crimes led to the arrest of Sheila Guo and Ong in Indonesia.
Citing the statement of Indonesian Immigration, the PAOCC said Guo and Ong were nabbed in Batam Center after the Inteldakim Officer at the Batam Immigration Office received a public report of their alleged offense.