PH, Indonesia police to forge cooperation following Guos' capture

MANILA – The governments of the Philippines and Indonesia will institutionalize cooperation between their police forces, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Saturday.

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said an exchange of information between the two Southeast Asian neighbors is in the works following the capture Alice Guo, the dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor who was caught in Indonesia on Sept. 3 and eventually sent home three days later.

"Iyong nangyari sa (What happened in) Indonesia, you know Alice Guo, is just one case. But there are a lot of other criminals that can go through this path. Kaya nag-usap kami ng Indonesian police na 'yung ginawa namin na ganito (So we talked to the Indonesian police), police to police, ito ay magiging institutionalized na. 'Yung cooperation na ito, 'yung pagtutulungan natin (we will institutionalize it. There will be cooperation, helping each other out)," Abalos said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

In the same forum, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano said the results of the investigation on government officials involved in the escape of Guo, her alleged siblings Shiela and Wesley, and supposed accomplice Cassandra Ong may be released within the month.

"The only thing I can disclose at this point is that it is coming to an end and we can expect that the results of the investigation will come out very soon," Clavano said.

"From the (DOJ) Secretary's (Jesus Crispin Remulla) direction, any actuation, it seems to be, perhaps this month. Although I cannot also guarantee that because if other factors or other facts come to light, then it may be moved," he added.

Clavano said the DOJ is likewise looking into the involvement of "private individuals."

Shiela Guo and Ong were also captured in Indonesia and returned to the Philippines on Aug. 22.

Shiela Guo is under Senate custody, Ong is with the House of Representatives and Alice Guo is detained in Camp Crame, Quezon City by virtue of an arrest warrant for graft issued by a Tarlac lower court.

Abalos said Indonesia has similar troubles dealing with lawbreakers due to its vast territorial waters.

Clavano said the country will use all possible means to protect the country's porous borders against illegal activities and ensure the safety of Filipinos.

"Well, you know, we are one with the congressmen and the senators when we try to look for possible ways to guard our porous borders," Clavano said.

Having 7,107 islands and one of the longest coastlines in the world, the Philippines presents a security challenge, Clavano said.

"So, it is quite challenging, but it's not a challenge that cannot be overcome with help of legislation, with the help of proper law enforcement, with the help of all these other mechanisms and programs that we can instill," Clavano said.

Following Guo's capture, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he expects the disgraced ex-official to disclose how Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators became a large criminal enterprise and how she accumulated her wealth.

Abalos likewise said illegal drugs and smuggling are common problems in the Philippines and Indonesia.

"This will be the start of something big dahil (because) we have common enemies. At may na-trace nga kami na 'yung ibang mga operation doon, baka dumadaan sa Pilipinas (We traced some operations there might be passing through the Philippines)," he said. (PNA)