PNP looking at possible POGO involvement in Que kidnap-slay case

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is investigating whether the kidnapping case of businessman Anson Que is connected to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). 

In Jun Veneracion’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” Que, also known as Anson Tan, and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were last seen alive on March 29 when they left the businessman’s office in Valenzuela.

The following day, Que’s family filed a report at the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

On Tuesday, authorities recovered Que’s black luxury van in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City.

Earlier today, Que and Pabillo’s bodies were found with their arms tied behind their back and stuffed inside nylon bags that were left on a grassy portion of a road in Rodriguez, Rizal.

“There were signs of bruises and some body injuries at meron din sign ng (and there is a sign of) strangulation,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said.

According to a reliable source, Veneracion reported Que’s family sent three ransom payments to the kidnappers totalling to P100 million, but the victims were still killed.

The PNP said this case was out of the ordinary since kidnappers usually released their victims after payment of ransom.

Despite Que’s business being in the steel production industry, authorities are looking into the possibility that the kidnapping is connected to illegal POGOs.

“Isa yung sa titiningnan nating angulo and possible involvement ng isang grupo behind this incident and previous incidents na involved sa POGO-related operation,” Fajardo said.

(One of the angles we will look at is the possible involvement of a group behind this incident and previous incidents involved in POGO-related operations.)

As part of ita investigation, the police backtracked CCTV footage in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Metro Manila in the possibility that suspects could be identified.

Task group

The PNP said it has formed a special investigation task group.

“We are fully committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families. We have mobilized our best resources to ensure a thorough investigation and to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for this act. The Philippine National Police will continue to work tirelessly with all concerned units to ensure that those behind this crime will face the full extent of the law,” PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil said in a statement.

“Part of the investigation is the possible involvement ng ilang mga Filipino citizens with Chinese nationals,” Fajardo said.

(Part of the investigation is the possible involvement of some Filipinos with Chinese nationals.)

In a statement released by the counsel of Que's family, Atty. Mei Go, the family said it supports the PNP-AKG’s investigation "to bring the perpetrators to justice."

According to police, the grieving family is seeking privacy at this time.

Meanwhile, a group raised the alarm over the recent kidnappings of members of the Chinese community.

“Yung mga kaibigan po natin sa Chinese community and other businessmen, talagang natatakot sila, nababahala. Ang tanong, who's next?” said Boy Evangelista of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).

(Our friends from the Chinese community and other businessmen are really afraid, they are concerned. The question is, who’s next?)

Based on data from the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order, there have been three kidnapping cases in the past five weeks.

“Ang PNP po ay hindi titigil hangga’t maresolba at mapanagot ang mga responsible dito sa insidente na ito at para maiwasan na may susunod pa pong insidente,” Fajardo said.

(The PNP will not stop until this incident is resolved and those responsible are held accountable in order to prevent another incident.)

Before this abduction, a Chinese student was kidnapped in Taguig City and had a finger cut off before being released. The family driver was found dead.

Due to the consecutive kidnapping cases, recently appointed Police Brigadier General Elmer Ragay was relieved from his post as PNP-AKG chief.

Fajardo said PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil expressed dissatisfaction over Ragay’s performance. —Mariel Celine Serquiña with Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/RF/BM, GMA Integrated News