MANILA (UPDATE)– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday that government officials’ photos with dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo were part of the selfie culture.

A photo of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil with Guo flashing the V hand sign generated negative reactions online, following her arrest in Indonesia. Another picture of Guo with government agents also drew flak.

“I think that is…part of the new culture now na magpakuha na ng kahit ano. Tapos ipo-post nila, tingnan mo o nakasama ako dito sa team ng ganyan-ganyan. Ang tawag natin sa Pilipinas, we are the selfie capital of the world di ba. Eh di nag-selfie. Hindi mo naman mapigilan ang tao na ngumiti,” Marcos said.

“They just had a selfie. I don’t think, I don’t think there’s much more to it than that. Nagpa-selfie sila,” Marcos Jr said.

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Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier took to social media to express her disapproval of the photos and remind government officials that Guo is not a celebrity, but a fugitive charged with human trafficking. Sen. Joel Villanueva also called out officials for the images, which he called very “unprofessional.”

In a separate interview, Abalos said he was unaware that Guo was doing the candid pose in the viral picture, which he said was taken for documentation purposes.

“This kind of photos, basta nakaharap ang ganyan, you cannot tell ano na nga nasa tabi mo, etc. At kamukha na sinabi ko, etong photo nito ay offshoot of that meeting na kanyang dino-document na. And I really do not know, anong pinagagagawa niya nagpo-pose siya ng ganoon,” he said.

“I hope, sabi ko nga, sana maunwaan ng mga kababayan. It was never a selfie na nagpa-selfie ganyan, ganyan. This is taken habang nag-usap kayo about things na sinasabi ka sa akin.”

Abalos also clarified another viral video that showed him addressing Guo in a supposedly cordial and pleasant tone.

“Ang nangyari niya, nung dumating siya, parang kakilala daw niya ako. So sabi ko, teka muna, saan kita nakilala? Now I remember, because as DILG, mayroong governor, si Governor Yap, nagpa-organize with meetings with all of the mayors of Talac. So they were there. So yun, doon kami nag-uusap. Sinasabi niya, ‘Sir ako 'yung ganito.’ ‘Ah, oo, ikaw nga yan,’ sabi ko,” Abalos said.

“So ganoon lang yun. There's nothing to it. But what is important right now is that she is now in the custodial center of Crame. At mayroon nang search warrant of arrest na-inissue sa kanya. And mind you, warrant of arrest, kami nagdemanda sa kanya, DILG ah, na kinatigan ito ng Ombudsman. That ripened into a criminal case, na kung saan ang kapas kahapon na nag-issue na ng warrant.”

Guo received “no special treatments”, he said.

“Right now, may mugshot siya, nakakulong siya ngayon sa kulungan, no cellphone, no aircon, just like an ordinary detainee. Salamat po,” he said.

BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH

House Committee on Dangerous Drugs Chairperson and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers, for his part, was irked by the “celebrity treatment” on Guo.

“Kung totoo ‘yung mga pictures na ‘yun, aba, ika nga, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, ‘di ba? Parang hindi naman dapat nangyayari ‘yun,” Barbers said. “Unang-una she was arrested there because she tried to escape from her accountability in the country… Hindi naman celebrity yan.”

House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson and Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez said government’s treatment of apprehended individuals should be equal.

He noted, though, that authorities could be employing a “strategy” to get Guo to disclose vital information on individuals behind illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations.

“Dapat ang treatment ng apprehension ng mga fugitive, it goes to everybody. Application of the law must be fair... I hope that we learn from this mistake. I think ‘yung approach is something that is much much not to the expectation of our people,” Fernandez said.

“Of course somehow you have to understand also the different tactics employed by our authorities. May tinatawag na reverse psychology ‘di ba, ‘yung makuha mo ang simpatya ng kausap mo. Ang dami niyang apprehension eh, ang dami niyang ayaw sabihin. Most likely the tactic employed by DILG sScretary Abalos and Chief PNP Marbil ay ‘yung ganoong klase ng taktika. We cannot blame them. Of course, sometimes mayroon kang gagawing bagay para makuha ang trust and confidence… Who knows? Baka mamaya mayroon na silang nakuhang very important information from her. (13:23) Kung magiging harsh ka agad sa tao, mamaya, lalung hind maging kampante sa’yo,” he added.

Bukidnon 2nd District Representative Jonathan Keith Flores said Guo was given “special treatment” by Philippine authorities.

“Nagulat tayo sa kakaibang trato ng DILG, PNP, at NBI kay Guo Hua Ping mula noong kunin siya sa Indonesia hanggang sa makarating dito sa Pilipinas. Special treatment ang nangyari. Mula sa Jakarta hanggang sa NAIA. Panay selfie at pa-picture sila kay wanted at suspek Guo Hua Ping. Trinatro nilang parang artista. Trinato nilang celebrity. Nagpaka-fanboys and fangirls sila doon imbes na alagad ng batas ng Pilipinas.  Hindi ba sila nahiya sa kanilang asal?” he said.

“Hinayaan si Guo Hua Ping na tumayong nakatalikod habang ipriniprisenta sa NAIA. Tila ginamit siyang pang-socmed posts o campaign posters. Hinayaang magsuot ng face mask. Tinakpan pati ng puting sweater o jacket ang posas. May bitbit pang Starbucks bag. Nakangiti pa silang lahat nang magpalitrato. Filipino officials need to explain their behavior—behavior that does not align with how a fugitive and someone being pursued by law enforcement should be treated. Nakalimot sila sa dapat nilang naging asta,” Flores added.

The House Quad Comm has written to the Senate to invite Guo in its hearing on illegal POGOs. The joint panel is still waiting for a response. – With a report from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News