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

MANILA -- Former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo wants to surrender but fears for her safety, according to her legal counsel, Atty. Stephen David. 

David said this was mentioned to him again by Guo during their last conversation on August 22. 

“Marami kasing threat, internal at saka external, we don't have to elaborate on that, 'yung mga talagang detailed na usapan bound kami ng lawyer-client privilege, pero basically gusto niyang sumuko,” David said. 

“Ang nagde-deter lang yung 50-50 chance na papaano ang security kasi sabi ko nga maraming kalaban, hindi lang kasi gobyerno ang interested sa kanya, marami,” he added. 

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However, David remains hopeful that Guo will be convinced to surrender now that she sees the security being provided to her sister, Shiela, who was first arrested in Indonesia on August 21 alongside POGO representative Cassandra Li Ong.

“Nakikita naman niya yung security ni Shiela. I think may proof naman na secured naman si Shiela saka mas relaxed ngayon si Shiela doon sa kanyang kalagayan,” David said. 

He also spoke with another of Guo's siblings, Wesley, on Saturday, August 31. 

According to David, Wesley did not disclose his whereabouts but asked how their sister Shiela was doing and how the case would proceed. 

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However, the Bureau of Immigration is currently investigating reports that Wesley is staying in Hong Kong. 

“Kay Wesley may mga natanggap tayong information that he is in Hong Kong, pero when we confirmed with Hong Kong authorities wala siyang sighting doon, wala silang entry doon sa kanilang bansa,” said Bureau of Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval. 

Meanwhile, the Guo camp is ready to face the new money laundering charges filed with the Department of Justice by the National Bureau of Investigation, Presidential Organized Crime Commission, and the Anti Money Laundering Council. 

David has also requested the Senate to release Shiela Guo from their custody. 

“Basta sinabi ko sa kanya, basta yung katotohanan sabihin mo. Yung totoo kasi sa akin para kay Shiela, yung katotohanan will set her free, kasi ganoon talaga. Wala naman siyang ganung kalaki na involvement, lalo na sa POGO, wala naman siyang alam diyan e… Unfair naman na dinetain siya doon kasi sabi nga hindi siya nag-attend ng mga unang hearing. Hindi naman siya na-notify nun,” he said. 

Alice Guo gusto nang sumuko pero may pangamba: abogado 

The Guo camp also hopes that the government can at least provide a photo of Alice Guo following reports that she was seen in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

“Kung meron silang sightings sa kanya doon, sana meron silang photo… para at least, panatag yung pamilya at saka siyempre yung concerned sa kanya,” David said. 

“Sa ngayon wala pa siyang attempt na magtawid ng borders kasi doon sila makakakuha ng jurisdiction over Mayor Alice Guo if she attempts to fly out or travel by ferry palabas ng Indonesia… I think kung hindi ako nagkakamali is 30 days tayong visa free in indonesia, so if they went past that over staying na sila, so they're probably gonna try to cross border within the 30-day period," Sandoval explained.

The Senate Subcommittee on Justice will resume its hearing on Monday, September 2, on how Ong and the Guo siblings were able to leave the country.

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