In the recent months, a series of high-profile arrests have rocked the Philippines, shedding light on various criminal activities and connections to influential figures within the country.
One of the most prominent figures to be apprehended was former mayor Alice Guo, who is facing allegations of being a Chinese spy with ties to an outlawed online casino syndicate that operated during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. After fleeing the country in July, Guo was captured by Indonesian authorities on September 3 and promptly returned to the Philippines.
Following this arrest, another significant individual taken into custody was Apollo Quiboloy, a well-known doomsday preacher and spiritual adviser to President Duterte. Facing warrants for alleged sexual assault and human trafficking both in his home country and in the United States, Quiboloy was arrested on September 8 in Davao City.
Who are the targets of the manhunt linked to Duterte?
Manhunt in the Philippines Targets Fugitives Linked to Duterte as Alliance with Marcos Deteriorates
In the politically charged landscape of the Philippines, a massive manhunt is underway to capture fugitives who are linked to President Rodrigo Duterte. The manhunt comes as the once-strong alliance between Duterte and the family of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos seems to be deteriorating. This development has caused a significant stir in the country’s political circles and has led to widespread speculation about the future of the Duterte administration.
The deteriorating alliance between Duterte and the Marcos family has raised questions about the stability of the current government and has fueled concerns about the potential for a power struggle. This is especially significant given the historical and political significance of the Marcos family in the Philippines.
The manhunt, which is being carried out by the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies, is targeting individuals who are connected to Duterte and are suspected of being involved in corruption, human rights abuses, and other criminal activities. The primary focus of the manhunt is on bringing these fugitives to justice and holding them accountable for their actions.
Keywords: Philippines, manhunt, Duterte, Marcos, fugitives, corruption, law enforcement, human rights abuses
Background on Duterte and Marcos Alliance
President Rodrigo Duterte’s rise to power in 2016 was marked by his tough stance on crime and his controversial war on drugs, which has resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread human rights abuses. Duterte’s presidency has also been characterized by his populist rhetoric and his unapologetic authoritarian tendencies.
In recent years, Duterte has forged a close alliance with the Marcos family, particularly with Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. This alliance has been seen as a strategic move by Duterte to consolidate power and gain support from the Marcos loyalists, who have remained influential in Philippine politics despite the tainted legacy of the Marcos regime.
However, signs of strain in the Duterte-Marcos alliance began to emerge as Duterte’s presidency faced mounting challenges, including a faltering economy, a controversial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and growing public dissatisfaction with his administration. These challenges have eroded Duterte’s popularity and have raised doubts about his ability to maintain a firm grip on power.
At the same time, Bongbong Marcos has been positioning himself as a potential candidate for the presidency, capitalizing on the disillusionment with Duterte’s leadership and seeking to rouse support from both the Duterte loyalists and the Marcos loyalists.
The Deteriorating Alliance and the Man
The list of arrests continued with former budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, who has been implicated in a scandal involving inflated prices for pandemic supplies during Duterte’s administration. Additionally, Chinese businessman Tony Yang, brother of one of Duterte’s ex-economic advisers Michael Yang, was detained for deportation and suspected involvement with the same criminal syndicate linked to Alice Guo.
Aside from these major apprehensions, other notable individuals taken into custody include ex-Palawan governor Joel Reyes for allegedly orchestrating a journalist’s murder in 2011; dismissed police officer Allan de Castro and his bodyguard-driver as suspects in the disappearance of beauty pageant contestant Catherine Camilon since October last year.
These recent developments have brought attention to various criminal activities involving influential personalities within Philippine society. The series of arrests serves as a reminder that no one is above the law and highlights efforts by law enforcement agencies to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
