Senators on Monday, July 29 called on authorities to expedite the arrest of suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo whom law enforcers said was “sighted in Bulacan.”
The information came from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada expressed his dismay over the failure of the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) and law enforcers to find Guo’s location and serve the arrest order against her.
Estrada noted that Guo has been very active on Facebook and yet the NBI could not trace her current location using her IP address.
NBI Assistant Director Angelito Magno disclosed there were reported sightings of Guo in Bulacan.
“Why is it taking so long? When did the committee issue this warrant of arrest against her? July 11. It’s two weeks already, until now she can’t be found,” Estrada lamented.
“Mr. Chair, we were informed by our assets as of prior to the issuance of warrant there are some sightings in Bulacan. However, when the team went to the possible location of the sightings, as of now, there was none. They did not see anyone there, Mr. Chair,” Magno responded.
“We will try our best, Madam Chair, to serve the warrant of arrest soonest and we will submit a report to this,” the NBI official said, also addressing Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who is leading the Senate probe into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related crimes in the country.
Unsatisfied with the response, Estrada warned that the Senate would scrutinize the NBI and the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s proposed budget for next year.
“If you cannot arrest her within a month, baka maapektuhan ang budget niyo (your budget may be affected),” Estrada warned the NBI.
“Ganoon din sa pulis, pag hindi niyo mahanap within a month iyan (the same warning goes to our police force, if you can’t find her within a month). We can’t just keep on waiting here. Mahina ang mga intel ninyo kapag ganun (You have a weak intelligence if that’s the case),” he pointed out.
“Ang dami-dami mga nase-serve ng warrant of arrest diyan, mabilis mahuli. Bakit ito? Kilalang-kilala pa, hindi niyo mahuli (There are so many individuals who have been served arrest warrants and they are quickly arrested. But this? This one is a famous personality, yet you can’t arrest her),” he lamented.
Estrada further warned authorities to “get their acts together” and properly coordinate with all law enforcement agencies.
“On the part of the Senate, our OSAA…we can just do so much…Hindi naman kami...sila kasing powerful ninyo na lahat ng resources nasa inyo (We’re not as powerful when all the resources are with you). Okay?” the lawmaker reiterated.