‘Unbelievable’: Remulla doubts Guo family’s boat escape story

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated his doubt with the claims of Shiela Guo — earlier identified as the sister of dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo — that she, Alice, and Wesley Guo left the country via a small white boat.

Shiela said in a Senate hearing last August 27 that the three of them rode a white boat, transferred to a fishing ship, and later transferred to a small “blue or green” boat going to Malaysia when they left the country.

READ: Alice Guo will face due process for alleged crimes – Remulla

“Hindi pa rin ako naniniwala na nagbangka sila tsaka nagbarko,” Remulla said.

(I still don’t believe they road on a boat and then a ship.)

“Hindi ako naniniwala talaga kasi parang sine naman ‘yun; ano, natutulog sila sa lambat, nahirapan sila dun buong araw, tatlong araw, apat na araw na bumabyahe? Hindi kapani-paniwala eh,” he added.

(I really don’t believe it because it seems like something out of a movie. They slept in the fishing nets, struggled all day, and traveled for three or four days? It’s unbelievable.)

Remulla said that a vessel traveling alone is not something usual.

“Maraming pirata diyan sa South China Sea. Tandaan ninyo, ang fishing vessels ‘pag bumyahe ‘yan convoy lagi ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan nag-iisa bumyahe kasi they protect each other, mayroon silang defense formations,” explained Remulla.

(There are many pirates in the South China Sea. Remember, fishing vessels always travel in convoys. They don’t travel alone because they protect each other; they have defense formations.)

“Mayroong mga weapons ‘yan eh; nagdadala sila ng weapons, ‘di ba? Tapos isang fishing vessel lang babyahe ng Zambales hanggang Sabah [Malaysia], eh para namang superman namang ‘yun,” he added.

(They have weapons, right? And then just one fishing vessel travels from Zambales to Sabah [Indonesia]? It’s like they’re Superman or something.)

READ: Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia – DOJ, NBI

The Justice secretary said they are looking into flight records at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for possible leads on their departure.

Shiela and Cassandra Ong were taken into custody by Indonesian authorities and were brought back to the Philippines last August 22.

Alice was also arrested by Indonesian police around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, and the process of her return to the country is still in progress.