INDONESIA SENDS BACK TO PH ALICE GUO’S SISTER, POGO WORKER CASSANDRA ONG

THE Indonesian authorities on Thursday sent back to the Philippines the sister of dismissed Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Tarlac and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) worker Cassandra Li Ong.

Sheila Guo, the sister of Alice Guo, and Ong, the representative of a company that provides services to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 5 p.m. Thursday.

Sheila Guo and Ong were arrested by Indonesian authorities at the Mega Mall Batam Center in Riau, Indonesia on August 10.

The dismissed Bamban mayor, who fled the country in July, was not with them anymore.

Prior to the deportation of Sheila Guo and Ong, the  Bureau of Immigration (BI) has sent a letter to Indonesian immigration authorities requesting assistance in finding them.

Alice Guo, who was accused of facilitating POGO operations in Bamban, reportedly left the Philippines last month and went to Malaysia and Singapore, where she met with her family, before heading to Indonesia this weekend.

The Senate Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms coordinated with the Manila International Airport Authority in serving the order of arrest for Sheila Guo upon her arrival.

Sheila is covered by the Senate arrest order issued by the Upper Chamber against her and her siblings for snubbing the hearings on POGO.

As for Ong, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said they were still coordinating with Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros for a possible contempt citation and disposition of Sen. Win Gatchalian’s pending motion to cite her in contempt for not attending the House’ POGO hearings.

The House of Representatives has an outstanding warrant for Ong.

Hontiveros said she is looking forward to the attendance of Ong and Sheila Guo at the Senate hearing on Tuesday.

The female lawmaker said Ong’s attendance in the investigation would be crucial in finding out who helped Alice Guo flee the country, as well as determining the loopholes in the immigration system.