Shiela Guo during the Senate hearing on Aug 27, 2024. - PDI
MANILA: The Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (NPS) has recommended filing charges against Shiela Guo — earlier identified as the sister of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo — and Cassandra Li Ong.
Based on a resolution issued on Tuesday (Aug 27), government prosecutors approved the filing of cases against Shiela for violations of Article 150 of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience to Summons issued by the Senate and Section 22, paragraph (b)(2) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11983 for allegedly using a false Philippine passport.
Charges were likewise recommended against Ong for violation of the Revised Penal Code for Disobedience to Summons issued by the House of Representatives.
She may also face charges for violating Section 1(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1829 for Obstruction of Justice, specifically for harbouring, concealing, or facilitating the escape of a criminal offender.
Officer-in-charge Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the case will be filed before a Pasay City court.
Shiela and Ong were the alleged companions of the dismissed mayor when they left the Philippines.
In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Shiela said that they “escaped” the country with the ex-mayor and her brother, Wesley, via a small white boat.
She said they transferred to a “fishing ship” and later transferred to a small “blue or green” boat to Malaysia.
Shiela claimed that from Malaysia, they boarded a plane to Singapore. She said she and the ex-mayor, along with Ong, later on travelled via ferry to Indonesia.
Alice is under investigation for her alleged connections with illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) in Bamban.
Ong also has a purported connection with Lucky South 99, an illegal Pogo hub in Porac, Pampanga, that was raided last June. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
