Solon to PNP: Recover P200M ransom in Anson Que kidnap-slay

Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Pimentel on Sunday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to do everything it can to recover the P200 million ransom paid by the family of businessman Anson Que, who was kidnapped and later killed by his captors.

“We urge the PNP to deploy every available resource and investigative tool to follow the money trail, hold all perpetrators accountable, and recover the funds illicitly obtained,” Pimentel said in a statement.

He warned that failure to retrieve the ransom would encourage criminal syndicates and maintain a cycle of violence and exploitation.

“Our government must send a strong and unambiguous message: crime does not pay, and justice will relentlessly pursue those who threaten public safety,” Pimentel said.

He added that the money should be returned to Que’s family.

“This act of justice and compassion would, in some small way, help ease the burden of their profound loss,” Pimentel said.

On April 10, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that the bodies of Anson and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were found in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The PNP had said it sought help with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other agencies to trace the cryptocurrency payments made in multiple tranches to Que’s kidnappers.

The PNP tagged David Tan Liao, Kelly Tan Lim, and an unnamed suspect as the alleged masterminds in the killing of Que and Pabillo. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News