DOJ files charges vs Shiela Guo, Cassandra Ong

Shiela Guo during the Senate hearing on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. (Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines (Updated) — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed charges before a Pasay City court against Shiela Guo — earlier identified as the sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo — and Cassandra Li Ong.

Shiela is facing charges for violations of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience to Summons issued by the Senate and Section 22, paragraph (b)(2) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11983 for allegedly using a false Philippine passport.

Charges were likewise filed against Ong for violation of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience to Summons issued by the House of Representatives.

Ong also faces charges for violating Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829 for Obstruction of Justice, specifically for harboring, concealing, or facilitating the escape of a criminal offender.

The charges earlier underwent recommendation from the DOJ-National Prosecution Service.

Shiela and Ong were the alleged companions of the dismissed mayor when they left the Philippines.

In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Shiela said that they “escaped” the country with the ex-mayor and her brother, Wesley, via a small white boat.

She said they transferred to a “fishing ship” and later transferred to a small “blue or green” boat to Malaysia.

Shiela claimed that from Malaysia, they boarded a plane to Singapore. She said she and the ex-mayor, along with Ong, later on traveled via ferry to Indonesia.

Alice is under investigation for her alleged connections with illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) in Bamban.

Ong also has a purported connection with Lucky South 99, an illegal Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga, that was raided last June.

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