PAOCC opposes Alice Guo’s counter-affidavit over doubtful notarization

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz shares this undated photo, which, he says, shows dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with members of the media on Thursday, August 22, 2024. (Photo from PAOCC Usec. Gilbert Cruz)

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has opposed the counter-affidavit of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo following reports that she has been out of the country since last month and “couldn’t have appeared before a notary public.”

Guo’s counter-affidavit was filed at the Department of Justice last Aug. 16. It seeks to dismiss the qualified human trafficking complaint filed against her by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the PAOCC.

The PAOCC filed its opposition to Guo’s counter-affidavit on Aug. 21.

“In fact, respondent Guo did not personally appear before any of the members of the Panel to submit her motion and its attached counter-affidavit,” PAOCC said.

“Given the nature and significance of the instant case, not only to the parties involved, but in its connection to the country’s national security, as well, there is merit into first inquiring into the veracity of the publicized information,” it pointed out.

“Doing so would take time, must proceed independently of, and should not further delay the instant proceedings. To grant respondent Guo’s motion and its attachment would serve not the interest of justice and due process,” it added.

On Thursday, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. reported that the former mayor’s sister, Shiela Guo, and one of her companions, Cassandra Ong, were already detained in Indonesia.

Before this, the Bureau of Immigration revealed that Alice Guo arrived in Indonesia last month, but there were no records indicating her departure.