Philippines says probing escape of ex-mayor accused of Chinese crime links

21/8/2024 13:40

        Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday his government was investigating how Alice Guo, a former town mayor accused of ties with Chinese criminal syndicates, managed to flee the country.
        
        Marcos warned that "heads will roll" a day after he ordered Guo's Philippine passport cancelled following her escape which was confirmed based on foreign immigration records.
        
        Marcos said in a statement, "We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people's trust and aided in her flight. Those responsible will be suspended and will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
        
        Guo, wanted by the Senate for refusing to attend hearings on her alleged criminal ties, denies the accusations, insisting she is a natural-born Philippine citizen facing "malicious accusations."
        
        The Senate investigation began in May after authorities raided a casino in Guo's sleepy farming town of Bamban in March, uncovering what authorities said were scams perpetrated from a facility built on land partially owned by the former mayor.