MANILA -- There is still no proof that any Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel was bribed to aid in the escape of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo last year.

This is according to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado who faced the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights  on Tuesday, two weeks after Senator Risa Hontiveros gave the agency an ultimatum.

“There is simply no proof or evidence to that effect. We have been begging any witnesses from any official airport or sea port to come forward for four months now,” Viado said. “Rest assured, madam Chair,  Honorable Senator, the second we get any proof or evidence to this effect, we will act swiftly to uphold the rule of law within our borders.”

Based on their internal investigation, Viado said their 12 BI terminal heads certified under oath that Guo did not pass through their terminals.

BI wrote its counterparts in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore but did not get a response.

The Hong Kong Immigration, meanwhile, did not divulge information on Guo.

BI said it is possible Guo used a backdoor exit in Tawi-Tawi and went to Sabah, Malaysia.

This is the route former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque may have also used when he left in September 2024, according to BI.

Viado admits they have limitations in manning the country’s borders.

“There are more regions in the Philippines then there are fugitive search unit officers, Viado said. “Any powerful individual backed by the POGOs or have access to funding or resources such as the POGOs can easily sneak out of our borders and enter other neighboring countries.”

Aside from Tawi-Tawi, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) thinks Guo could have also escaped through a port in Palawan.

“The escape of Guo could have been facilitated by a widely dispersed syndicate operating both domestically and abroad, these operations possibly involved a combination of bribery, corruption, forged documents and covert networks,” NICA Deputy Director General Francisco Ashley Acedillo said.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), meanwhile, said it received information that Guo went to Denpasar City, Bali, Indonesia before proceeding to Malaysia.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) explained that based on flight plans, Guo and her siblings did not fly out of the Philippines.

“I’m disappointed that we have still not resolved with finality paano siya nakaalis,” Hontiveros remarked.

The subcommittee also questioned BI on its deportation policy, which allows transit flights instead of direct flights.

“Meron akong nakuhang information that we deported allegedly 21 individuals supposedly to China pero na-divert sila to Malaysia to KL and itong mga to, konektado sa POGO and once nung dumating sila sa KL, nagtakbuhan na sila to Cambodia back to the obviously the POGO slash scamming hubs,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.  

Viado answered, “Transit flights are not disallowed. Now, if the honorable Committee and the Senate deems it fit to plug that loophole in the law and in our circulars, then we are very much wiling, your honors, to abide by that.”

Hontiveros also cited 10 Vietnamese nationals who were deported to Cambodia instead of Vietnam, which the Vietnamese embassy supposedly complained about.

Hontiveros asked BI if it is certain no one was paid on suspicious deportations.

According to Viado, “Any approval of deportation goes through the Board of Commissioners… Kung meron pong sinasabi niyo pong kumita dito sa bagay na ito, sabihin niyo po sa amin para maimbestigahan namin agad… We cannot resort to fishing expedition.”

BI appealed for the immediate filing of cases against foreigners so that their deportation will be prevented.

LI DUAN WANG

The case of Chinese national Li Duan Wang was also brought up with Hontiveros saying she received information he has connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and the Chinese Communist Party (CPP).

Li is applying for Filipino citizenship.

“Si Li Duan Wang ay incorporator ng New Oriental Club 88 Corporation - kumpanya na tinuring na pinakamalaking POGO service provider pero pinasara noong 2019 dahil sa paglabag sa batas,” Hontiveros said.

PAOCC confirmed Hontiveros’ information.