MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel the Philippine passports of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and his siblings, including businesswoman Cassandra Ong.
In a letter sent to the DFA and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the President sought the cancellation of the passports of Alice Guo, her siblings Wesley and Sheila Guo, as well as Ong, whom Guo is alleged to have met in Singapore.
The DFA previously stated that it was awaiting a court order to cancel Guo’s passport, following Senator Risa Hontiveros’s request on Tuesday for the bureau to take action.
Referencing Republic Act No. 11983, known as the “New Philippine Passport Act,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin noted that the DFA Secretary has the authority to revoke passports in the interest of national security.
“Under the same law, one of the grounds for the cancellation of a Philippine passport is when the court issues an order for its cancellation as the holder is a fugitive from justice,” Bersamin said.
Bersamin’s directive followed Hontiveros’ announcement that Guo had reportedly left the Philippines and traveled to Malaysia and Singapore as early as July.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said late Monday that Guo may have left the country “illegally,” and that canceling her Philippine travel documents could expedite her extradition back to the Philippines.
Senator Hontiveros expressed frustration, suggesting that Guo could not have left the country without assistance from government officials.
“It is worthy to note that currently, the Senate issued arrest warrants against Guo and her family for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices, its probe into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). A criminal complaint has also been filed against her for qualified trafficking, and other cases are likewise being prepared for her alleged involvement in POGO operations. Cassandra Ong (“Ong”), one of the individuals whom Guo met in Singapore, was also cited in contempt by the House of Representatives for her failure to attend hearings,” Bersamin said.
“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,“ the memorandum also said.
Guo allegedly met her parents, Lin Wen Yi and Guo ZianZhong in Singapore. But the BI said there were no records of Guo’s departure from the country.
Guo is facing human trafficking charges related to her connections with a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company in Bamban, Tarlac, where she served as town mayor before she was dismissed.
