QUEZON CITY — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively fact-checking the testimonies of Shiela Guo, who claims to be the sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, over concerns about inconsistencies in her narrative. This comes as authorities continue to probe the escape of the former mayor and her associates.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, the investigation is far from concluded. “The investigation continues. Wait for the next chapter of this issue,” Vasquez stated, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to verify the truth behind the claims. He noted that the Guo siblings and Cassandra Li Ong, an alleged incorporator of Pampanga-based Lucky South 99, are suspected of having left the Philippines by bribing their way past immigration controls with PHP200 million.
Vasquez expressed skepticism about the credibility of the testimonies provided by Shiela Guo and Ong, stating that their accounts do not qualify them as state witnesses. “We need a law enforcement agency to verify if Shiela’s statement about their method of departure is true or not,” he added, pointing out the necessity to cross-check the alleged escape routes—whether through an airport, seaport, or private port.
The DOJ is also looking into who might be held accountable for any lapses that facilitated the escape. “There are people who are really responsible for this, especially since we are looking at what really happened and how they did it,” Vasquez explained. He clarified that the investigation does not specifically target the Bureau of Immigration but includes all law enforcement personnel who may have erred or colluded in the matter.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently underscored the administration’s commitment to integrity, declaring that there would be “no sacred cows” in the investigation and hinting at knowledge of individuals who assisted the former mayor’s flight from the Philippines.