Alice Guo Arrested, Faces Deportation to Philippines

Alice Guo, a former mayor of Bamban, Philippines, was arrested in Indonesia for her alleged involvement with illegal online gaming and ties to Chinese criminal syndicates, including money laundering exceeding 100 million pesos ($1.8 million). Her apprehension follows a months-long international manhunt after she evaded a congressional investigation in the Philippines, where she faces accusations of being a Chinese spy and faking her citizenship. Indonesian authorities confirmed her deportation to the Philippines, with the timing contingent on ongoing investigations. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Justice Secretary Boying Remulla praised the international cooperation that led to her capture, highlighting its significance in combating organized crime. Guo has denied the allegations, labeling them as malicious, and is expected to face Senate hearings upon her return. The case has raised concerns in the Philippines regarding Chinese influence amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.