Alice Guo transferred to Pasig City Jail
Metro Manila, Philippines — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was transferred to the Pasig City Jail Female Dormitory on Monday, Sept. 23.
Guo was originally detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City, after being arrested in Indonesia.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court ordered on Friday Guo’s transfer on the grounds of a qualified trafficking charge that is non-bailable.
The said transfer was not carried out over the weekend given procedural hiccups — some documents yet to be completed.
Tuberculosis ruled out
PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said doctors have disclosed findings on Guo’s X-ray results.
“Based po doon sa doctor ng PNP General Hospital, probably from Friday and over the course of the weekend, baka nag-develop ng possible infection ‘yung kanyang lungs,” the spokesperson said in a chance interview.
[Translation: Based on information from the PNP General Hospital, a possible infection in her lungs may have developed from Friday and over the weekend.]
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said they have collected a specimen from Guo for a test.
It yielded a negative result, Bustinera announced around 3 p.m.
Guo was then transferred from the jail’s isolation facility to a regular cell, which she will share with 43 inmates, including a co-accused in a case against Filipino megachurch leader Apollo Quiboloy.
No special treatment
The BJMP earlier said there will be no special treatment for Guo.
“May katabi lang sya na around 5 PDL (persons deprived of liberty) sa higaan,” Bustinera said in a message.
[Translation: She will share the bed with five other PDLs.]
“May dala po sya books at pinayagan naman na dalhin nya sa selda. Na inspect na rin ito,” he added.
[Translation: She brought books, and we allowed her in her cell. We have inspected it.]
Appeal considered moot
Nicole Jamilla, one of the legal counsels, told reporters that a Pasig court issued an order to hold the transfer, pending the resolution of their urgent motion for the former mayor to remain at the PNP Custodial Facility.
The lawyers cited threats to Guo’s life.
“The court recognized our urgent motion and set the same for hearing on Sept. 27… setting the hearing to determine the veracity of our claims on our urgent motion,” Jamilla said.
The BJMP sent a letter to the court, informing it that Guo has been committed to them.
The Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 then released a document, stating that Guo’s appeal is considered moot.
Guo is at the center of illegal offshore gaming activities in her hometown.
She is also facing a money laundering case before the Department of Justice, while has posted bail for her graft charges.
