MANILA—The Philippine government is working with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the return of Shiela Guo, sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and Cassandra Li Ong, the incorporator of a Pampanga-based Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO). President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday that he expects the two to be back in the Philippines either on Thursday or Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the two were intercepted in Singapore and Indonesia, and the government is coordinating with Indonesian agencies to arrange their return. Earlier on Thursday, Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that Shiela and Ong were under Indonesian custody. The President also ordered an investigation into the departure of Alice Guo and vowed to hold accountable those who assisted in her escape. Malacañang had previously directed the DOJ and the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the Philippine passports of Alice, her siblings, and Ong.
Alice Guo is facing charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, as well as additional cases related to her alleged involvement in POGO operations. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has requested the prosecution panel to deny her plea to present her side, citing her absence from previous preliminary hearings.