Manhunt for Guo to widen

SENATE President Francis Escudero said Tuesday a broader manhunt would be launched for Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, if she continues to hide instead of cooperating with the Senate panel looking into her alleged involvement with unlicensed Philippine overseas gaming operators (POGOs).

On Saturday, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) deployed four teams to serve arrest orders against Guo and seven others but failed to locate them as they were not in their given addresses.

A BED FOR GUO Senate Sergeant-at-Arms retired Lt. Gen Roberto Ancan inspects the room where Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and several others will be detained on July 16, 2024. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

Retired Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, the Senate sergeant-at-arms, reported to Escudero that the OSAA teams failed to serve the arrest warrants since Guo and the others.

Escudero said they were considering mounting a broader manhunt for Guo and company if they continue to snub the invitation of the Senate to attend the July 29 hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

Ret. Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, on July 16, 2024, leads the ocular inspection of the detention room inside the Senate where suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her co-accused will be detained upon their arrest. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

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The Senate chief instructed Ancan to collaborate with the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the attendance of Guo and other relevant individuals during the forthcoming hearings on POGO-related issues.

Meanwhile, Stephen David, Guo’s lawyer, said his client was still in the country and had advised her to voluntarily appear before the Senate.

“We were able to talk for more than an hour via Zoom. Of course, my advice to her [is to surrender], as she cannot hide forever,” David said.

He told her the warrant of arrest was only issued by the Senate to compel her to testify as a resource person.

“The Senate warrant of arrest is not meant to penalize her. She was subpoenaed to testify as a resource person because they (senators) want to ask her questions only she can answer. If she will be able to answer, eventually, the arrest order will be lifted,” David added.

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