Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to cancel the passports of Alice Guo and her siblings.
In a memorandum addressed to Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Bersamin directed the cancelation of the passports of Alice Guo, Wesley Guo, Sheila Guo, and Cassandra Ong.
“Under Republic Act No. 11983, also known as the ‘New Philippine Passport Act,’ the DFA Secretary may cancel a passport in the interest of national security. Under the same law, one of the grounds for the cancelation of a Philippine passport is when the court issues an order for its cancelation as the holder is a fugitive from justice,” the memo read.
“Given the foregoing and in the interest of justice, this Office hereby directs that appropriate action be taken for the cancellation of the Philippine passports of Guo, her family, and Ong,” it added.
The dismissed Bamban Mayor reportedly fled the country, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Guo left the country without passing immigration. It said that Guo, who is also identified as Chinese national “Guo Hua Ping,” is already in Indonesia.
The Senate has issued arrest warrants against Guo and her family for their refusal to appear in the probe on the illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). Guo is facing charges of qualified trafficking and her alleged involvement in POGOs in the country.