DOJ: No official prisoner swap request for Bamban mayor, drug suspect

The Indonesian government has not made an official request for a prisoner exchange involving dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and drug suspect Gregor Johan Haas, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Jakarta police arrested Guo in Tangerang City on Wednesday morning, while Haas was apprehended by Philippine authorities in Cebu on May 15.

Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said that a prisoner swap is only a possibility and the DOJ hopes for Guo's immediate deportation back to the Philippines.

Guo faces charges of human trafficking and money laundering related to the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Bamban, as well as a quo warranto petition against her before a Manila court.

Based on information from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Guo is expected to take a 6 p.m. flight from Indonesia to the Philippines on Thursday and will be turned over to Philippine Senate custody upon arrival.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has filed several charges of money laundering against Guo and others before the Department of Justice, while the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has filed human trafficking charges against her.