Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco thanked the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) for recognizing the BI’s role in ensuring Alice Guo’s return to the Philippines.
Tansingco made the statement after PAOCC spokesman Dr. Winston Casio spoke on a news program about the BI’s efforts to locate and arrest the former Mayor.
During his interview, Casio shared that the PAOCC has not found any evidence with regards to the involvement of immigration personnel on Guo’s illegal departure.
“We have not found any evidence either way with regards to any possible liability as far as the Bureau of Immigration is concerned,” said Casio. “Bear in mind that we have no evidence that she went through our immigration office. Basing on the testimony of Shiela that she got out of the Philippines using ferries, using sea vessels (that) do not necessarily go through the immigration. Chances are there was no immigration personnel who accommodated or facilitated her getting out of the Philippines. But again, that was the testimony of Shiela. We’d have to listen to the testimony of Alice,” he stated.
Tansingco thanked the PAOCC for recognizing the hard work of the BI’s personnel in coordinating with Indonesian authorities to ensure Guo’s return.
“I am 100% certain that in this particular retrieval, repatriation, possible repatriation of Alice, this is the work, the hard work of the people from the Bureau of Immigration,” said Casio during the interview.
Tansingco bared that upon knowledge of Guo’s arrival in Indonesia, he sent information to the Indonesian Immigration that Guo is the subject of a Mission order issued by the BI. Guo faces charges for undesirability and misrepresentation for allegedly acquiring her Philippine citizenship through fraudulent means.
The BI’s coordination then led to Indonesian authorities initiating a manhunt on Guo.
Tansingco said that they have also sent agents to Indonesia to personally monitor the progress of the investigation. Upon the successful retrieval of Shiela Guo and Cassandra Li Ong, BI agents, together with National Bureau of Investigation (BI) operatives ensured their swift and safe return to the Philippines.
Currently, BI personnel are in Indonesia to monitor the progress of Guo’s removal.
He added that upon Alice Guo’s return to the Philippines, she will be facing a deportation case, as well as a myriad of other cases to be filed against her.
Tansingco likewise shared that they will continue working closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to achieve their shared goal of ensuring that justice is served swiftly.
