Alice Guo back in police custody after court appearance in Tarlac

MANILA: Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, has been handed over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial centre in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday (Sept 6)afternoon after appearing in a court in Tarlac.

Guo left the custodial centre on Friday at around 9:40am and police brought her to the Tarlac Regional Trial Court (RTC).

In a press briefing, PNP Spokesperson Col Jean Fajardo said that Guo’s lawyers requested for her continued detention at the PNP custodial centre, which was granted by the court.

“During the proceeding, Guo’s lawyer motioned verbally, requesting for her continued detention in the custodial facility of Camp Crame, which the court granted. So she will remain in the detention facility of Camp Crame,” Fajardo said.

“The presiding judge of the RTC 109 Capas, Tarlac issued a commitment order addressed to receive and keep her in our custodial facility during the pendency of the case subject to the order of the court,” she added.

Fajardo added that Guo will not yet post bail.

Fajardo earlier said the presentation of the accused in court by the police was a “matter of procedure” to inform the judge that Guo had been arrested.

“As a matter of procedure, she will be brought to the judge to show that she is already arrested and we will wait for the court’s decision if they will release a commitment order to transfer her into another detention facility,” Fajardo had explained.

Fajardo also noted that the Senate must seek permission from the court before Guo can appear at its committee hearings.

On Thursday, Capas RTC Branch 109 issued a warrant of arrest against Guo for a case of alleged violation of Section 3 (e) and (h) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Long before the Tarlac court ordered her arrest, the Senate already issued an arrest order against Guo for skipping multiple hearings on the probe into her alleged ties with illegal Pogos (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).

The dismissed mayor was brought back to the country early Friday after being arrested by Indonesian authorities on Wednesday. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN