Inappropriate behavior

With the help of Indonesian authorities, Alice Guo was located and apprehended in Tangerang, Indonesia. Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil chartered a private jet to pick up the fugitive mayor. Once back in the country, Guo will remain in the Senate because they issued the warrant against her.

Netizens immediately called out both high-ranking officials for supposedly posing with the fugitive. At the same time, she flashed victory signs and smiled ear to ear as if the gravity of what she did did not mean anything to the officials. Then there is a picture of Guo in a vehicle with NBI agents, all of them smiling with Guo even having her arms around the agents as if they were all friends. She was treated more as a celebrity than a fugitive.

Imagine the expenses the government had to incur just to pick her up. That in itself is no laughing matter or to be taken lightly. If that were a nobody, or even a dissident I am certain not one selfie would be taken. Compare this situation to when Senator De Lima was arrested. But even President Bongbong Marcos Jr. seemed to downplay the selfies saying they are all part of a “new culture”. I believe it is inappropriate despite being ingrained in Filipino culture. The officials should know better.

Marcos also clarified that no prisoner swap happened. There was talk of a prisoner exchange, but the government was able to request the Indonesian government to allow Guo to be brought back to the country. The Indonesian government wanted Gregor Johann Haas who is imprisoned in the country due to his involvement in illegal drugs. He is said to be a member of the Sinaloa Cartel who tried to import five kilos of methamphetamine or shabu this year, so they want him returned to Indonesia to face justice. However, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, it is not that easy because the country does not have the death penalty while Indonesia does. If the country hands Haas over to Jakarta, he will surely face capital punishment.

Guo is set to face the Senate this Monday. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who immediately called out the selfies being taken with Guo, sarcastically remarked that on Monday they can take all the pictures of Guo. President Bongbong Marcos Jr. said any government official who helped Guo leave the country would be fired and charged. Guo faces a multitude of cases as the Senate investigation on illegal POGOs resumes. I hope all these eventually sink in with Guo. Once she is officially charged, let’s see if she can still flash those victory signs and smile all the way.