Alice Guo expected to return on Thursday evening — Tulfo

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo is expected to return to the Philippines on Thursday evening, September 5.  

Sen. Raffy Tulfo said the embattled mayor is expected to arrive in the country from Indonesia on a chartered flight at 6:18 p.m.

She will be arriving along with Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos and Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil.

In a separate interview with the members of the press, Guo’s lawyer Stephen David also said that the dismissed mayor is “highly likely” to return today. 

There is also an alleged prisoner exchange requested by the government of Indonesia to expedite the return of Guo to the country.

According to reports, Jakarta wanted the Australian drug kingpin Gregor Haas in exchange for Guo. However, the Department of Justice said that there is no official request that was received by the Philippine government. 

Once Guo returns, this will be the first time the embattled dismissed mayor will be appearing in public since May 2024. She faces multiple charges due to her nationality and alleged involvement in illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

The mayor’s last public appearance was on May 22, 2024, when she attended the Senate Committee on Women's probe into illegal POGOs.

Guo is expected to be in Senate custody upon return as she has arrest warrants for contempt issued by the upper chamber due to her non-appearance in the probe into alleged illegal POGO activities. 

Last August 26, Guo's alleged accomplices, Lucky South 99 incorporator Cassandra Ong and her purported sister Shiela Guo, were immediately handed over to Philippine authorities following their apprehension in Indonesia.