Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. confirmed on Saturday, Sept. 7, that Wesley Guo, dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s brother, has already sent feelers intending to surrender.
The official, however, refused to give details about his whereabouts when asked if Guo passed through Hong Kong.
“Okay. It’s supposed to be confidential pero sinabi nila (but they said). There is this ongoing at inaayos na rin po namin po iyan ng DILG, PNP and the other camp ‘no (the DILG, PNP and the other camp are still fixing it),” he said.
“Kung mangyayari po ito, kumpleto na (Once this happens, it’s already complete). That’s why it’s important for them na sumurender, sabihin ang totoo, huwag matakot sa kanilang buhay (to surrender, tell the truth, not to fear for their lives). We’re working on that and a lot of other things, yes,” he added.
Prodded further about Guo’s possible surrender, the DILG chief begged off as anything he says “might preempt it.”
“Ganito na lang iyan (It’s like this), let’s take it this way ‘no, na (that) it came from him and there are some people who is now handling everything, okay? Ganoon lang munang ka-vague kasi ayaw kong maudlot ito (Let it be that vague because I don’t want it to falter),” Abalos said.
“Please I beg you. Mas mabuti next time magkita tayo nandoon na ako o kasama ko sila at maaano. Importante makuha lahat ito, lahat ng mga wanted ay mahuli natin lahat ito (It’s better that the next time we see each other, I am there and they’re with me. It’s important to catch all of these wanted [personalities]).”
The official further said that the Philippine government is cooperating with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international agencies in the arrest of the personalities involved in the illegal activities of POGOs.
Earlier this week, Alice Guo, who also goes by the name Guo Hua Ping, was arrested in Indonesia.
This was a follow-up to the arrest of Cassandra Ong and Shiela Guo, Alice’s sister, also in Indonesia. Ong was later identified as Wesley’s girlfriend.
All are requested to face congressional inquiries into the alleged abuses and torture that happened inside POGO facilities in Tarlac and Pampanga.