Indonesia Apprehends Former Filipino Mayor Accused of Illegal Online Gaming Schemes
A former Filipino mayor has been arrested in Indonesia for his involvement in illegal online gaming and Chinese-targeted scams. The apprehension resulted from a collaborative effort by Indonesian and Filipino authorities. The accusations include running illegal gambling operations and concealing Chinese nationality in order to run for public office.
Alice Guo, the dismissed mayor, was apprehended by Indonesian authorities in Tangerang, a Jakarta satellite city, shortly before midnight on Tuesday, according to Khrisna Murti, the head of the National Police's international division.
Guo is currently in custody awaiting deportation back to the Philippines, with Murti stating that her arrest was the result of joint efforts by Indonesian and Filipino law enforcement agencies.
Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked Indonesian authorities for the arrest and stated that plans are underway to repatriate Guo to the Philippines to face multiple criminal charges.
Guo was tracked down in Malaysia and Singapore after fleeing the Philippines in July. She eventually ended up in Indonesia. Recently, two individuals who had reportedly absconded from the Philippines alongside Guo without proper immigration procedures were also detained in Indonesia.
Guo, who ran for office in the 2022 elections and secured the position of mayor in Bamban, Tarlac province, faced accusations of establishing a significant complex near the town hall to operate an illegal online gambling and scam enterprise primarily serving Chinese clients, despite gambling being prohibited in China.
The Senate committee issued an arrest warrant for Guo after she failed to attend hearings investigating the illicit gambling activities that proliferated during the tenure of Rodrigo Duterte, the predecessor of Marcos, who maintained close relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping while often criticising Western nations.
Guo was also accused of concealing her Chinese citizenship in order to run for public office, which is only open to Filipinos. Speculation arose about her possible involvement as a Chinese agent.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Guo was removed from her position due to serious violations by the Ombudsman, an agency in charge of investigating and prosecuting government officials implicated in crimes such as corruption.
In response to the situation, Marcos issued an immediate ban on widespread online gaming operations, primarily managed by Chinese entities, citing alleged links to human rights violations such as trafficking, torture, and kidnapping.
Beijing supported the crackdown on Chinese-operated online gambling establishments in the Philippines, which are estimated to employ more than 400 Chinese and Southeast Asian workers.
This enforcement action resulted in the closure of several complexes in the Philippines that were suspected of exploiting thousands of people from China, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries, subjecting them to exploitative working conditions.
Philippine lawmakers emphasised that the thriving online gambling industry was aided by corruption in government regulatory bodies and illegal payments to officials.
Indonesia and the Philippines have signed an extradition treaty since 1976.
Former Filipino mayor arrested in Indonesia for involvement in illegal online gaming and scams targeting Chinese clients.
Collaborative effort between Indonesian and Filipino authorities led to the apprehension.
Accusations include running illicit gambling operations and concealing Chinese nationality to hold public office.
Source: AP NEWS