Ex-mayor Alice Guo fled Philippines by boat, sibling reveals in senate inquiry

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Former mayor Alice Leal Guo, who is currently sought by Philippine authorities, reportedly fled the country by boat to Malaysia, likely to the state of Sabah, according to revelations from her sister, Sheila Guo.

Sheila, who was recently deported back to the Philippines, appeared before a Senate Committee on Tuesday (27 August), shedding light on the details of their escape.

During the public inquiry, Sheila recounted the journey, explaining that she, along with Alice and their brother Wesley, took three different boats to flee the Philippines.

“We went on a small boat, then a big boat, then a small boat,” Sheila described, though she admitted that her memory of the exact locations and dates was unclear.

“Maybe after dinner around 7:08 p.m., and we arrived around midnight. I am not sure of the exact time,” she added.

As reported by Philippines media Rappler, Sheila explained that they were picked up from their farmhouse in Tarlac by a van and traveled for approximately five hours to reach an undisclosed port.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Chief Jaime Santiago speculated that the group might have traveled up to six hours by speedboat from Bongao to Sabah, the nearest point in Malaysia.

When questioned by senators, Sheila insisted she was unaware of their destination when they boarded the van in Tarlac. She mentioned that Alice had only asked her to accompany her on a trip without providing further details.

Sheila confirmed that their final destination was Malaysia. During her testimony, she mentioned a Chinese name that Senator Risa Hontiveros, the committee chair, suggested could refer to Sipadan Island in Sabah.

fled to Sabah via boat

This was supported by a 18 July Sabah stamp found in Sheila’s Philippine passport.

Earlier, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported conflicting information.

According to their findings, verified by Malaysian authorities, Alice Guo arrived in Kuala Lumpur on 18 July, having traveled from Denpasar, Indonesia. This contradicts Sheila’s account of their route.

On 21 July, Alice Guo flew from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on Jetstar Asia flight 686.

PAOCC also noted that Guo traveled from Singapore to Batam, Indonesia, via ferry on 18 August .

During the hearing, Sheila explained that they went to Batam because Wesley was “bored and wanted to go somewhere else.”

Wesley had traveled to Batam on 16 August, while Sheila, Alice, and their companion, Guo’s business associate Katherine Cassandra Ong followed on 18 August.

Sheila and Ong were arrested in Indonesia on 21 August when they attempted to return to Singapore and were subsequently deported to the Philippines the following day.

Senator Hontiveros also noted that Alice’s parents, Lin Wen Yi (林文怡) and Guo Jianjiang (郭建奖) , arrived in Singapore from China on 28 July.

“Katherine Cassandra Ong may have already been waiting for them in Singapore as she was there since June 11, 2024, when she flew from Manila to Singapore via Singapore Airlines flight SQ917,” she said.

Sheila stated that she does not know where Alice and Wesley went after their separation in Indonesia.

Sheila recounted asking Alice about their destination, to which Alice responded that it was better for Sheila not to know.

Hontiveros also revealed that Zhang Jie, former president of the Porac POGO Lucky South 99, had booked four rooms at the Harris Hotel in Batam, Indonesia. Sheila confirmed that she stayed at that hotel.

Sheila, who is under investigation for violating passport laws, confirmed that she holds both Philippine and Chinese passports.

Earlier, NBI chief Jaime Santiago also confirmed that Shiela Guo is also a Chinese national named “Zhang Mier.”

‘Not biological sibling’

Sheila claimed ignorance about Alice’s activities, noting that while Alice lives in Tarlac, she herself has always lived in Bulacan.

Sheila said Alice is not her biological sister. Their father, as written on their birth certificates, is not her biological father, Sheila said.

Sheila also revealed that Alice is not her biological sister.

According to Sheila, their father, Guo Jianjiang, whom she refers to as “daddy,” introduced Alice as her sister when Alice arrived in the Philippines in 2001.

According to Immigration chief Norman Tansingco, Alice Guo is currently in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a standing request for her apprehension and return to the Philippines.

Tansingco also indicated that Wesley may have entered Hong Kong.

Alice Guo Accused of Supporting Illicit Activities

When Alice Guo was elected as the mayor of Bamban, her family in China published a congratulatory message: “Ms. Alice Leal GUO, also known as Guo Huaping, the daughter of Mr Guo Jianjiang of Chaodai Village, Jinjing Town, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province, was elected Mayor of Bamban, Tarlac Province, Philippines, on May 9, 2022, becoming the city’s first female mayor.”

ALARMING! Is the country infiltrated by Chinese Militias and Sleeper Agents?@senatePH @HouseofRepsPH
How did we end in this dangerous situation? pic.twitter.com/Elaxyeo8SW

— Ricky S (@saudiboy2) May 11, 2024

Since May 2024, she has been under investigation for her alleged involvement in illegal scam operations.

Guo faced accusations of backing a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban that was raided last March, where authorities uncovered evidence of human trafficking, illegal detention, physical abuse, and torture.

Guo is also allegedly connected to Fujian-born individuals Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying, both convicted in Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering case.

On 13 July, the Senate ordered Guo’s arrest along with some family members after she failed to appear twice for hearings related to the scam centres. However, she has since gone missing.

Guo earlier denied allegations of criminal connections, asserting that she had no ties to or knowledge of illegal Pogo operations.