Following her arrest and impending deportation to The Philippines, dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo may now claim these perks and incentives.
Several local brands previously courted Guo with free products and services in exchange for her return to the country after she went on the run for being linked to a raided Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) operation in Bamban.
The 33-year-old former mayor, whose real name was revealed to be Guo Hua Ping, fled the country using her Philippine passport, Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed on August 19.
According to reports, Guo left the Philippines and entered Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 18. She then flew, along with her siblings, to Singapore on July 21 and transferred to Indonesia last August 18.
Her escape prompted Malacañang to direct the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to revoke the Philippine passports of Guo and her accomplices. Her name is also listed on the immigration lookout bulletin.
While efforts were underway to locate Guo, some businesses have taken the chance to humorously offer her incentives, but with the condition that they can only be claimed in the country and require official documents such as valid IDs and a birth certificate to redeem them.
These offers range from free food and drinks to accommodations and even lifetime services from varying local businesses.
One of the offers came from Brothers Burger, which posted, “Hey Alice Guo, we miss having you with us! 🎉 Come back and enjoy a FREE duo meal on us. See you soon at Brothers! 🍔🍟”
Similarly, Don Isabelo Cakes, a local café in Ilocos Norte, offered Guo a “FREE PREMIUM CAKE AND DRINKS”, with an accompanying message that read, “Uwi ka muna to claim your prize in any branch of Don Isabelo Cakes (Laoag, Bacarra, San Nicolas, Pasuquin, Vintar)”
The establishment also instructed her to bring her “valid ID and birth certificate” upon claiming her incentives.
On the drinks front, Default Cafe Pub, a Manila bar, posted, “Uwi ka na. Claim it at Default,” along with an offer of unlimited drinks.
“Unli na din para dun sa nagtatago sa south… baka gusto mo,” teased Default Cafe Pub.
Some retail stores even offered Guo expensive items such as a sports car from Automart.PH, a brand new iPhone 15 from POS Digital, a pair of designer shoes from Shoe Game Manila, and a luxury watch from Gentry Timepieces.
Other products such as a brand-new gas cylinder from Check Gas, a free meal from Araw Araw BBQ, as well as free drinks from Eight Cup which was also made available for Teacher Rubilyn, whom Guo previously misclaimed was her home school teacher while residing in a farm.
Other offers also include free Brazilian waxing from Lay Bare Salon, and free accommodation at Subic Waterfront View Resort.
Sellers from local beauty shop Magic Potions even took the time to entice Guo with a video of them showing the prizes she can personally claim from their store.
“Send your location, Mayora, para ma-send namin ang prize mo 🥳,” read the video’s caption.
Guo can also claim lifetime services including dental services at Dentmate Dental Clinic Inc., and free home deep cleaning services from Cleaning Lady PH.
Olavin Pro Lights and Sounds also humorously offered free equipment for a “welcome back” party, promising to make her “return” to the country “truly unforgettable”.
The unusual move by these brands has sparked mixed reactions online, with some seeing it as a marketing ploy and others questioning the ethics of offering incentives to a fugitive.
On August 22, Senator Raffy Tulfo shared that Shiela Leal Guo, sister of Guo, and Cassandra Li Ong were arrested by Indonesian immigration authorities.
At the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights hearing, Shiela admitted that she left the country by boat with the former mayor.
While Guo managed to evade capture and remained at large following her accomplices’ arrest, she was eventually arrested by Indonesian Immigration officials in Tangerang City, Jakarta.
She is currently in the custody of the Indonesian police at Jatanras Mabes Polri.
Previously, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed that Indonesian authorities were in talks about exchanging Guo for Gregor Johann Haas, who was apprehended in Bogo City, Cebu, in May following an Interpol red notice against the Australian for alleged drug trafficking, a capital crime in Indonesia.
The Philippine STAR, however, reported that Remulla had deleted his confirmation and has yet to clarify the information.
Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty also addressed the issue in an interview with DZBB on Wednesday, stating that a swap with Australian drug kingpin Gregor Haas is “only a possibility”, and the Indonesian government has not made any formal request for a prisoner exchange.
Upon her return to the country, she is expected to be placed in Senate custody and will face multiple cases, including questions about her citizenship and her alleged involvement in POGO operations.
