Former Philippine Mayor Arrested in Indonesia for Links to Chinese Syndicate

Alice Guo, a former mayor of Bamban in the Philippines, was arrested in Indonesia for her alleged connections with Chinese criminal syndicates and spying for China. The arrest follows charges of money laundering and avoiding a congressional investigation. She was on the run since July.

In a significant development, former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, accused of connections with Chinese criminal syndicates and spying for China, was apprehended in Indonesia. Al Jazeera reports that Guo, who went by Guo Hua Ping, had been evading capture since July.

The Philippine Senate sought her for evading a congressional probe into her alleged criminal affiliations. The Philippine Ministry of Justice confirmed her arrest in Jakarta on Tuesday at 11:58 pm, following months of international manhunt.

Last month, the Anti-Money Laundering Council filed cases against Guo and 35 others, alleging they laundered over 100 million pesos ($1.8 million). Justice Secretary Boying Remulla lauded international cooperation for her arrest, remarking it underscores efforts to bring fugitives to justice. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also highlighted the significance of the arrest, warning others that the law's reach is long.

(With inputs from agencies.)