Marcos after Guo capture: ‘Arm of law is long and will reach you’

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, issued a stern warning against fugitives after the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia.

“Let this serve as a warning to those who attempt to evade justice: Such is an exercise in futility,” Marcos said in a video statement four hours after authorities announced Guo’s capture. “The arm of the law is long and it will reach you.”

The president also congratulated law enforcement personnel and acknowledged the help of Indonesian authorities.

“The public may not know the intricate details of this mission that you have successfully accomplished, but on their behalf, accept my thanks,” he said.

“The Philippines also thanks the Indonesian government for their assistance on this matter,” the chief executive said. “The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible.”

Marcos assured the public that the government will continue to apply the rule of law, and that Guo is entitled to legal protection.

“But we will not allow this to prolong the resolution of the case, whose outcome will be a victory for the Filipino people,” he said.

Guo left the country in July undetected even with a standing immigration lookout bulletin against her.

She left for Malaysia through three boat transfers, took a flight to Singapore, before boarding a ferry to Indonesia.

Her apprehension came almost two weeks after Indonesian authorities caught her supposed sister Shiela and business associate Cassandra Li Ong.