Dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is presented to the media inside a room at the Royal Star Aviation hangar in Pasay City shortly after her arrival on September 6, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Senator Risa Hontiveros warned the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights will recommend a revamp of the bureau if it does not provide satisfactory answers on how dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo escaped the country. 

Six months since Guo fled, the BI remains uncertain as to how she and her companions left. 

During Tuesday's hearing, BI Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan, Jr., said they have not yet received any response to their letters to the immigration units of several Asian countries. 

In November 2024, BI told the Senate that they have written to their counterparts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. 

READ: Alice Guo back in PH after arrest in Indonesia

READ: Alice Guo tells PH authorities why she fled

"As far as I can remember, no official replies, written replies received by the Bureau of Immigration as of this day. Pero sa informal channel po, may mga information po sila na sinabi na wala po, walang results or wala hong information with regard to the arrival or departure of the Guos on those particular dates," Manahan said. 

He also said they still have not determined which port or subport Guo could have used to exit the Philippines. 

Hontiveros blasted the BI. 

"Kung titigil lang tayo sa ganitong status, we are inutile as a country," she said. 

"If you can imagine the frustration that the whole committee and our chair, the Senate, would feel about this kind of status na ni hindi pa natin ma-solve yung, it shouldn't even be a mystery. It's a simple matter of fact na dapat by now nalalaman natin. Very regrettable po," she added. 

Manahan assured Hontiveros that they will submit a compliance report to the subcommittee as soon as possible, but the senator noted that "the soonest possible was last year."

"Paulit ulit po yang ganyang we will submit… Kung ako kayo nakakainis yung ibang mga Bureau of Immigration ng ibang mga bansa, wala man lang maibigay na maayos na sagot. It is totally unacceptable," she added.

Hontiveros also asked for updates on the internal investigation of BI on its personnel who might have helped Guo escape, but Manahan could not give a definite answer.

"As far as I'm concerned, Ma'am, wala po akong alam kasi may ibang offices din po kasing in charge which is the Board of the Discipline, or BOD, Board of Discipline who conducts also investigation when it comes to personal matters," Manahan said.

"Di ko ma-imagine na may intel division ng ano pa mang institusyon dito who would be totally unaware kung merong internal investigation lalo na apat na buwan na po mula nung huling itanong ito," said Hontiveros in response.

"I mean, what is the BI doing if not finding out paano nakatakas si Guo Hua Ping then at the very least finding out kung meron ba at kung meron kung sino ang kasabwat sa loob ng bureau," she further said. 

READ: Guo says someone 'initiated' her escape, expresses 'regret'

Hontiveros emphasized that it is unacceptable that a high profile fugitive was able to leave and that there seems to be no interest in getting answers.

She also questioned BI's way of deporting arrested employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which lacks mechanisms to ensure that these personalities actually arrive in China. 

Hontiveros gave a stern warning to BI. 

"To Commissioner Viado of the Bureau of Immigration, with all due respect, please consider this an ultimatum. If no satisfactory answers on these matters are provided by the BI within 15 days as designated chair of this subcommittee of the Committee on Justice, I will call for a revamp of the BI in the committee report of this subcommittee. A revamp beginning with the commissioner himself. Napakahalaga po ng trabaho ninyo. Aasahan ko po pa rin gampanan niyo ito sa lalong madaling panahon," Hontiveros said.  

The subcommittee will conduct another hearing on the issues.