Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in a Senate hearing in Pasay City on May 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA (UPDATED) — Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero assured Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo that she will be safe in the chamber's custody in case she surrenders or is arrested by the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms.

READ: Senate issues arrest orders for Alice Guo, others for contempt

In an interview, Escudero said Guo will be detained in a facility near a Philippine National Police (PNP) detachment within the Senate premises. 

Guo will be detained there along with her female relatives. The male resource persons who also have arrest orders will be detained in the facility in the Senate basement.

The rooms will have their own restrooms with two bunk beds

Escudero said there is no reason for Guo to fear for her safety.

READ: Senate fails to find Alice Guo, detains ex-accountant Gamo

"Wala akong nakikitang rason at sa totoo lang hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang banta diumano laban sa kanyang buhay," Escudero said.

(I see no reason and, to be honest, I don't know where the supposed threat to her life is coming from) 

He has also directed the review of the Senate rules on detention since Escudero believes gadget use should be allowed.

"Wala akong nakikitang dahilan bakit hindi. Hindi naman drug lords ito na puwede nilang ipagpatuloy ang kanilang operasyon sa loob ng detention. Wala naman akong nakikitang delikadong kaganapan na mapuga sila mula sa detention facility," Escudero said.

(I don't see why it should be prohibited. These aren't drug lords who can direct the illegal drug trade from detention. I don't see any risk of them escaping from the detention facility.)

Senate facility where Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo will be detained. Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News

Escudero has already instructed the Office of the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) to coordinate with other government agencies in looking for Guo and other individuals who are the subject of arrest orders. 

"Kung makalipas ang ilang araw pa ay hindi pa matunton ang kinaroroonan sa mga kilalang address ng mga inisyuhan natin ng warrant of arrest, pinagbigay-alam ko na sa kanya na kung kinakailangan na makipag-ugnayan na rin siya sa NBI at iba pang mga law enforcement agencies para ma-implement yung warrant na inissue ng Senado sa ilang mga testigo para matiyak ang kanilang pag-attend sa hearing," said Escudero.

READ: Bamban Mayor Alice Guo in hiding, still in PH-- lawmaker

The Senate president said that Guo was ordered arrested not as "punishment" but to assure her attendance to the Senate's ongoing investigation into illegal POGOs.

"This is not a penalty. This is not a punishment for the commission of any crime. Itong pagdetine sa kanya ay para matiyak lang na a-attend siya sa pagdinig ng Senado."

For Senator Risa Hontiveros, it is possible that someone is hiding Guo. 

"Kapag ang isang public figure na hanggang nito lamang ay napaka-active naman sa Facebook ay hindi pa rin maserve-an ng warrant of arrest dahil hindi mahanap, then of course, posible na may mga magtatago sa kanya o nagtatago sa kanya," she said. 

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