EDITORIAL: Lenient Authorities

THE recent deportation of former mayor Alice Guo from Indonesia to the Philippines has sparked outrage across social media, not just because of her alleged links to Chinese criminal syndicates, but also because of the behavior exhibited by Philippine government officials during the process.

The sight of high-ranking officials, including Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Police General Rommel Marbil, casually posing for photos with the fugitive raises serious questions about the credibility and professionalism of our justice system.

Guo, accused of human trafficking, tax fraud, and laundering criminal proceeds, fled the country in mid-July, evading the very authorities that were supposed to hold her accountable. Her escape, which spanned multiple Southeast Asian countries, became an international embarrassment for the Philippines.

Despite this, Philippine officials seemingly failed to grasp the gravity of the situation when they finally apprehended her in Indonesia. Instead of a solemn and serious occasion marking the end of Guo’s evasion of justice, the moment was turned into a photo opportunity, complete with smiles and “peace” signs, sparking widespread indignation.

Critics argue that this behavior symbolizes a mockery of the Filipino people, many of whom struggle daily to see justice served. How can the government expect to be taken seriously in its fight against organized crime when its top law enforcers are seen taking selfies with a high-profile suspect accused of such heinous crimes?

The now-viral photos captured during Guo’s deportation process have been labeled as tone-deaf, especially in light of the fact that Guo was not even handcuffed, despite facing two separate arrest warrants.

It is troubling that this kind of spectacle unfolded, given the serious charges Guo faces. She is linked to illicit activities in the now-banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), an industry notorious for exploiting foreign workers.

That she was able to slip out of the country in the first place is an indictment of the failures within the Philippine law enforcement and immigration systems, which only issued an immigration lookout bulletin order instead of the more restrictive hold departure order. This glaring lapse allowed Guo, her siblings, and her business associate to flee.

The argument that the officials were simply celebrating their success in apprehending Guo, as NBI director Jaime Santiago suggested, rings hollow. The photos taken of Guo smiling while sitting between NBI agents in a car en route to Jakarta airport conveyed a sense of camaraderie rather than the gravity of bringing a fugitive to justice.

The ease with which Guo interacted with her supposed captors felt like a mockery of the efforts to pursue her, and it undermines the message that the government is serious about combating crime and corruption.

In the generation where every move by public officials can be instantly scrutinized through social media, it is incumbent upon the government to display the utmost professionalism, particularly in sensitive situations.

The actions of Secretary Abalos and Police General Marbil—however innocent their intentions may have been—sent the wrong message to the public. It’s not just about catching the criminal; it’s about showing that the rule of law is applied impartially and with respect to the gravity of the situation.

Even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s dismissal of the controversy, claiming that selfies are a part of Philippine culture, fails to address the broader issue. While the Philippines may indeed be known as the “selfie capital of the world,” this is not an excuse for trivializing the apprehension of a high-profile fugitive linked to organized crime. Leaders must be more mindful of the optics and the message their actions send to the public.

The Alice Guo case should have been an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its resolve in tackling organized crime and corruption. Instead, it has become a symbol of the systemic flaws in the Philippine justice system, from the escape of the fugitive to the unprofessional behavior during her capture.

As Guo now faces the Senate investigation and criminal charges, the focus must shift back to the pursuit of justice. However, it is clear that the government has some significant image repair to do if it hopes to regain the public’s trust in its ability to uphold the law.

This incident is a blunt reminder that public officials must always prioritize their responsibility to serve the people with integrity and professionalism. The pursuit of justice should never be treated as a spectacle or an opportunity for self-congratulation. Instead, it must be carried out with the solemnity and seriousness that the Filipino people deserve. The nation is watching, and it expects better.