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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider EXPLAINER: How PH gov't will bring back Alice Guo from Indonesia

EXPLAINER: How PH gov't will bring back Alice Guo from Indonesia

Published Sep 4, 2024 12:54 pm

Embattled former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo remains in the custody of Indonesian authorities after being arrested in Jakarta for criminal cases she is facing in the Philippines.

Her fate remains uncertain because it has yet to be determined whether the Philippine government would still pursue her possible extradition or grant Indonesia's request for a prisoner swap.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Jakarta wants Australian drug lord Gregor Haas, who is currently detained in the Philippines, in exchange for Guo.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on the other hand, has yet to confirm if the Philippine government will request for her extradition.

But if ever, the Indonesian Extradition Law states that, the Philippine government should make its request of extradition to the Indonesian "President through the Minister of Justice by the competent authorities of the alien state through the diplomatic channel." This means that the Philippine government must request for Guo's extradition to Indonesian President Joko Widodo through the DFA.

The Indonesian law is also requiring the Philippine government to support its request by providing necessary documents, such as the one concerning Guo's identity, nationality, statement of the crime for the commission of which she has been accused and the request for provisional arrest.

Her extradition would become possible as the Philippines has extradition treaty with several countries, including Indonesia.

The extraditable crimes under the treaty signed by the Philippines and Indonesia are the following:

  1. Murder; parricide; infanticide; and homicide
  2. Rape, indecent assault; unlawful sexual acts with or upon minors under the age specified by the penal law of both Contracting parties
  3. Abduction; kidnapping
  4. Mutilation; physical injuries; frustrated murder or frustrated homicide
  5. Illegal or arbitrary detention
  6. Slavery; servitude
  7. Robbery; theft
  8. Estafa; malversation; swindling; fraud; cheating
  9. Extortion; threats; coercion
  10. Bribery; corruption, graft
  11. Falsification; perjury; forgery; counterfeiting
  12. Smuggling
  13. Arson; destruction of property
  14. Hijacking; piracy; mutiny
  15. Crimes against the laws relating to narcotics, dangerous or prohibited drugs or prohibited chemicals
  16. Crimes against the laws relating to firearms, explosives, or incendiary devices

Guo, a Philippine passport holder, is facing charges in violation of anti-trafficking law, anti-money laundering law, grave misconduct and serious dishonesty and Senate contempt, among others.

She left the Philippines illegally via a private boat bound for Malaysia, her sister, Shiela Guo, said in a Senate hearing. According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), she came next to Singapore and then to Indonesia, where she was arrested.

Initially, Guo was believed to be heading to to Asia's "Golden Triangle," a special economic zone located within the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, which is notorious for a range of illicit and criminal activities.

In another development of the case, the DOJ said that the Indonesian government requested for the exchange of Guo and Haas.

The Australian drug kingpin was arrested in Bogo City in Cebu in May 2024 for drug charges filed against him by Indonesian authorities.

He was described by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as “a high-profile fugitive for being an alleged member of the Sinaloa cartel, a large international organized crime syndicate based in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico that specializes in drug trafficking and money laundering activities.”

He was implicated by Indonesian authorities for allegedly attempting to smuggle into Indonesia in December a shipment of floor ceramics filled with more than five kilos of suspected shabu.

Related Tags

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