The Office of the President (OP) has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to facilitate the cancellation of the Philippine passports issued to dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, her family, and a woman tied to a Philippine Online Gaming Operator (POGO).

In a memorandum dated August 20 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, the OP ordered the facilitation of the cancellation of Guo’s passport along with those of her kins Wesley Leal Guo, Sheila Leal Guo, and POGO representative Katherine Cassandra Li Ong.

Bersamin cited Republic Act No. 11983, or the New Philippine Passport Act, as the basis for canceling the said passports.

“Under the same law, one of the grounds for the cancellation of a Philippine passport is when the court issues an order for its cancellation as the holder is a fugitive from justice,” Bersamin said.

Bersamin also cited the arrest warrants against Guo and her family “for unduly refusing to appear, despite due notices, in the probe into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).”

He also mentioned the criminal complaint filed against Guo for trafficking. Other cases are being prepared against Guo for her alleged involvement in POGO operations. Ong, one of the individuals whom Guo met in Singapore, was also cited in contempt by the House of Representatives for her failure to attend hearings.

Guo reportedly left the Philippines on July 18 using her Philippine passport. She flew to Singapore and then traveled to Indonesia. PND