Guo sister, companion back in Phl after arrest

Two companions of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo - her sister Sheila and Lucky South 99 incorporator Cassandra Li Ong arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on board Philippine Airlines flight PR540 that landed at 4:18 p.m. yesterday.

- RUDY SANTOS and EVELYN MACAIRAN

Escorted by four female Philippine immigration officials, Guo and Ong were met at the airport by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Jaime Santiago and Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

The two were brought to the immigration counter for processing and whisked away by personnel, first to the BI for medical and inquest procedures, then to the NBI headquarters for questioning and debriefing.

Sheila Guo will be turned over to the custody of the Senate while Ong will be under the House of Representatives, in accordance with their respective warrants.

Indonesian immigration officials apprehended the pair at the Mega Mall Batam Centre in Riau, Indonesia on Aug. 20.

While Alice Guo was initially believed to have entered Indonesia with them via a cruise ship from Singapore, she apparently evaded authorities.

Upon learning that the Guo siblings traveled to Batam island last Aug. 18, the BI said they immediately coordinated with their Indonesian counterparts, who initiated an investigation on the subjects' whereabouts.

"They were considered illegal aliens by Indonesian immigration as they are wanted in the Philippines," said Tansingco.

The BI also learned that a male Singaporean national allegedly assisted four persons, reportedly including Guo's brother Wesley, in booking their stay in Indonesia.

Sheila Guo and Ong were allegedly about to leave Batam Island when the Indonesian investigation team from the Directorate of Wasdakim intercepted them and initiated their return to the Philippines.

The Guos and Ong - who flew to Indonesia while under investigation for illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operator hubs in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban were subjects of active warrants issued by the Senate and Congress.