The Department of Justice on Thursday said it is weighing a prisoner swap in exchange for custody of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

Justice Secretary Boying Remulla earlier confirmed a report that Indonesian authorities want to swap Guo with Gregor Johann Haas, an Australian national facing drug charges in Indonesia and who was arrested  by Philippine immigration officials last May.

“Itong hinihinala nating gusto nila ay nasa kustodiya ng BI. Kahapon, naisip namin baka maging hadlang ito. Gusto nilang makuha itong tao na ito. Sa ngayon, wala pang pormal na hiling, so tingnan natin kung ano ang mangyayari,” Ty said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Meanwhile, DOJ Assistant Secretary Spokesperson Mico Clavano said “it’s very premature to even talk about” the prisoner swap pending a formal request from Indonesia.

"Wala pa po kaming natatanggap na official request galing sa kanila [Indonesia]. Ang alam lang namin, nakita rin namin yung news reports galing Indonesia media regarding that,” he told reporters. 

“Pero wala pa po kaming narereceive na request at ang proseso kasi diyan ay dadaan talaga yung official communications, especially from authorities abroad sa DFA, Department of Foreign Affairs. So sa kanila lang kami nakikinig kung meron silang request na ifoforward sa amin. Pero as of now, walang request na ganun." 

Guo, who is accused of human trafficking and links to Chinese organized crime, was arrested in Tangerang City in Indonesia this week after months of evading police in the Philippines,

Guo is also wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged ties to scam farm operations in Bamban.

Clavano said they believe Guo would be brought back to the country “later today” based on indications from the Indonesian government.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday to meet Guo. 

Clavano said he was optimistic there would be no complications in bringing back Guo.

"Yung custody po ay dadaan sa proseso kagaya ng kay Cassy Ong pati si Shiela Guo dahil may hinaharap siyang immigration violations pati mga normal crimes. Ang klaro po dito, obvious crime na nacommit niya dito ay yung disobedience to summons and that's one amongst many we are looking at," he said.

Guo has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and ties with illegal gaming operators.

CUSTODY OF SHIELA GUO

Clavano clarified that Shiela Guo, the supposed sister of the mayor, will not be freed from government custody even if the Senate hearings conclude.

The National Bureau of Investigation earlier said Shiela is actually a Chinese national named Zhang Mier based on her passport. 

Shiela admitted in a Senate hearing that she was a Chinese citizen who came to the Philippines when she was 16 or 17.  

"Yung Senate order of arrest was issued pero meron din siyang hinaharap na immigration violations. Lalo na nakita natin na hindi naman po talaga siya Philippine citizen. So dahil po meron siyang fraudulently procured passport at meron din siyang ibang violations sa immigration laws, she will be held in the legal custody of the Bureau of Immigration. Kung saka-sakali, lilipat siya," he said.

Shiela remains under the custody of the Senate as she continues to be a resource speaker in upcoming hearings.