Why is Alice Guo all smiles in photos? ‘I feel safe,’ she says

VIP SECURITY Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos came to Jakarta to secure the recently arrested Alice Guo (in face mask), in this photo posted on the Cabinet official’s Facebook page on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo appeared cheerful in photos despite her arrest in Indonesia after being on the run for months.

Guo, who returned to the Philippines through a chartered flight early Friday morning, said this is because she felt relieved under the custody of Philippine authorities.

“I feel safe,” she said in a media briefing upon her arrival when asked about her smiling in photos.

She also said she was “happy” to see Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil whose help she sought after being subjected to death threats.

READ: Alice Guo back in Philippines following arrest in Indonesia

The former mayor has been the subject of a Senate probe over her alleged ties to a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firm in Bamban, Tarlac.

Abalos said he assured Guo that the police would secure her as he urged the former mayor to name the people involved in the illegal activities of Pogos.

“As you can see in her picture earlier, she felt relieved,” Abalos said, partly in Filipino.

Photos circulating on social media showed Guo grinning while doing a double peace sign next to Abalos and Marbil who fetched her in Indonesia on Wednesday.

Another photo released by authorities showed Guo sporting a smile together with National Bureau of Investigation operatives inside a car.

However, Guo appeared somber when she faced the Philippine media.

Guo was wearing an orange shirt for detainees and was also handcuffed but she concealed it with a white towel.

She also refused to take her face mask off, despite being coaxed by the press.

When not being talked to, Guo turned away from the cameras and faced the wall.

Guo was then brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City for detention by virtue of an arrest warrant.

Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 109 issued a warrant of arrest on Thursday over Guo’s alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Her bail is set at P180,000.

READ: Tarlac court issues warrant of arrest vs Alice Guo

Once she posted bail, Guo may be brought to the Senate for detention over an arrest warrant issued by the upper chamber due to her absence in subsequent hearings, Abalos said.

Guo left the Philippines on July 18, according to Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Shiela Guo, earlier identified to be Alice’s sister, said both of them rode a boat to Malaysia. Shiela was arrested last Aug. 21