MANILA, Philippines – Lawmakers expressed their disapproval of the celebrity treatment Alice Guo received after photos and videos surfaced showing some government officials and employees posing for pictures with the dismissed Bamban mayor before she was brought back to the Philippines from Indonesia.

“Si Alice Guo ay pugante. Hindi po ‘yan celebrity.” These were the words of Senator Risa Hontiveros in a Facebook post regarding Guo’s return.

“Paalala lalo na sa mga kawani ng gobyerno: Si Alice Guo ay pugante. May kasong human trafficking. Hindi po yan celebrity,” the senator added.

Guo was detained by the Indonesian police in Jatanras Mabes Polri on Wednesday after being apprehended in Tangerang City, Indonesia, prior to her handover.

On Thursday, Indonesian officials turned her over to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police Chief, General Rommel Marbil.

As the custody was being transferred, the embattled former mayor appeared to be in good spirits. When asked about her well-being, Guo raised both her thumbs, saying, “I’m good, I’m good!”

Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva criticized the government officials involved, calling their actions “unprofessional.”

In a photo shared earlier by Villanueva, a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent was seen taking a selfie with Guo and Abalos during the handover.

“Seriously, do you want to take a picture with this treacherous fugitive?” the senator added.

Guo, who faces charges of graft, money laundering, and human trafficking for her alleged role in POGO operations in Bamban, will be detained at the Senate upon her return to the country.

Aside from lawmakers, netizens also joined in the public outcry, mocking Guo’s “celebrity” return.

“Kakahiya talaga mga nasa gobyerno kaya di nirerespeto ng mga kriminal kasi mga lawsi. Di talaga mawawala ang selfie sa mga Pinoy, at pagdating ng Pinas special treatment, naka-private plane. Tinatalikuran lang sila pag ordinaryong kriminal tanggal mask, nakaharap sa media, at naka-posas. Si Alice, nakatalikod, naka-mask, at wala posas. Protocol sa mga kriminal na naka-posas pag nahuli. Kriminal yan, di Vivamax… Hay Pinas, nakakahiya na maging Pinoy… 🥱” said Jay D. in his Facebook comment.

“Pa-cute pa more,” said Evangeline F.

“Pinag face mask para di makita yung ngiti,” commented Janvher B.

“So, nag-effort ang Indonesian authorities para mahuli si Alice Guo para madala na sa Pinas at makapagpa-selfie tayo?” expressed Jerry G.

📷 National Bureau of Investigation
📹 Contributed video