Bongbong Marcos, nagsalita ukol umano’y hinihinging prisoner swap ng Indonesia

- Pres. Bongbong Marcos clarified that no prisoner swap was made between the Philippines and Indonesia following the arrest of Alice Guo

- In an ambush interview with reporters, the President said the Indonesian government did not make any official request for a prisoner swap

- Marcos also described the government’s negotiation with Indonesian authorities as very intricate, sensitive, and delicate

- Fortunately, Marcos claimed his trips to Indonesia have helped him gain friends who helped facilitate Guo’s transfer

Pres. Bongbong Marcos said no exchange of prisoners was made with the Indonesian government following the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.

In an interview with Palace reporters, the President said there was no official request from the Indonesian government for a prisoner swap.

“Wala namang nag-swap. Walang swap.”

He also pointed out that the news about prisoner swap only came from an unofficial report from the Indonesian press.

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DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos, nagpaliwanag ukol sa viral photo kasama si Alice Guo na naka-peace sign

“Hindi official ‘yon, so no. But I can explain, hindi naging simple ang pag-uwi ni Alice Guo dito sa Pilipinas. It wasn’t simple at all.”

He then described the government’s coordination with Indonesian authorities as very intricate, sensitive, and delicate.

“We were negotiating very intricate, very sensitive, and very delicate details for the last — what, maybe 48 hours. Kinakausap natin mga kaibigan natin sa Indonesia.”

“Buti na lang marami tayong naging kaibigan na dahil sa pagpunta-punta ko sa mga iba’t ibang bansa. Indonesia being one of them at naging malapit kami ni President Jokowi. Naging bahagi 'yun kahit na hindi ganoon kasimple ang pag-transfer,” Marcos went on.

Alice Leal Guo is the Mayor of the Municipality of Bamban, Tarlac. She won as mayor during the national elections in 2022. She became known nationwide after her name was dragged into the ongoing Senate investigations regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations or (POGO) and the alleged proliferation of illegal immigrants. Her name has been the subject of many online memes since then.

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Sen. Risa Hontiveros, nag-react sa viral photos ni Alice Guo

Guo Hua Ping, also known as Alice Guo, was arrested in Indonesia. Sen. Win Gatchalian, in a social media post, announced that the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor was arrested in Tangerang City, Jakarta. In a message sent to GMA News, Gatchalian said Guo was nabbed at 1:30 AM on September 4, 2024 and she is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police. The news was also confirmed by NBI Director Jaime Santiago, according to ABS-CBN News.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros had a fiery statement after the arrival of Alice Guo in the country. The senator shared her frank thoughts on the viral photos of Guo following her arrest. Hontiveros stressed they want answers from Guo, not a “photoshoot.” She likewise aired a gentle reminder addressed to government officials.

Source: KAMI.com.gh