PCG revising policy to stop Guo-like escapes

Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo faced the Senate panel after evading the arrest warrant issued by the chamber amid the probe on the reported criminal activities linked to offshore gambling, including her alleged involvement with Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos). —Photo from Joseph B. Vidal/OSP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is revising its policy to add non-common or private carriers to vessels that should undergo pre-departure inspection by October following the claim of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo that she left the Philippines on board boats, including a yacht, before going to Indonesia, where she was captured by the police.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan was asked by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III during the Senate committee on finance hearing on the P180-billion budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and attached agencies, including PCG, whether they should have been able to intercept Guo.

Gavan said they would coordinate with the Maritime Industry Authority “to come up with better regulations.”

READ: Alice Guo escape prompts PH Coast Guard review of pre-departure rules

“I’m taking my role now to revise it,” he added. “With this development, the Coast Guard recognizes that we should adapt, we should do more.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said on Tuesday the Chinese national who supposedly helped Guo slip out of the country was known as the “boss of all bosses” of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

“Based on my reliable information, he has already fled to Taiwan,” Estrada told reporters.

He initially refused to disclose the name of the Chinese citizen but when asked if he was referring to a certain Huang Zhiyang, Estrada replied: “Most probably.”