PNP: Search ongoing for Anson Que slay masterminds

Police are still looking for the mastermind behind the kidnapping and killing of businessman Anson Que and his driver, even after three suspects have already been placed under its custody, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday.

To recall, PNP officials on Saturday announced that suspects Ricardo Austria David and Raymart Catequista were arrested in Palawan on April 18, while another suspect, David Tan Liao, surrendered later that day.

They are now under the custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group and are facing two counts of kidnapping for ransom with homicide charges. 

“Itong mga ito ay ‘yung muscle [of the] group na nabanggit kahapon… At ang hinahanap natin, patungo tayo sa patuloy na ongoing operations para sa mga mastermind,” PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. 

(These three were the ‘muscle’ of the group. Operations are still ongoing to search for the masterminds.) 

'Case solved'

In a separate statement, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil, praised what "the swift resolution" of the case.

“Case solved. Justice served. This was not a random act of kidnap-for-ransom, but a calculated kidnap-for-hire operation,” Marbil said.

He added the "individual behind the operation" will be "identified and formally charged within the week."

According to the PNP, their investigation revealed the kidnap-slay was orchestrated by David Tan Liao, a Chinese citizen who is also known as “Xiao Chang Jiang,” “Yang,” “Jianmin,” and “Michael Agad Yung”. 

"Unlike traditional kidnap-for-ransom syndicates, David Tan Liao personally directed a rogue kidnap-for-hire operation—a shadowy and transactional criminal enterprise where he recruited and paid local henchmen to carry out abductions and executions. These were not random acts but deliberate, contract-based crimes targeting individuals embroiled in disputes over unpaid debts, betrayals, or internal conflicts," the head of the PNP said.

“In effect, Liao’s criminal scheme operated like a rogue collection agency—except they collected through blood,” Marbil added.

According to Marbil, the PNP’s case buildup, pursuit operations, and intelligence coordination were key to dismantling Liao’s network and also helped solve five other major kidnap-for-hire cases linked to the same group.

“With six major cases now resolved, our focus is on the financiers—the real power behind these blood-for-hire operations,” he said.

The PNP Chief stressed that "there is no widespread or random kidnapping spree in the country."

“These are isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas. The situation is firmly under control. Our law enforcement strategies are effective,” he said.

Credit to PNP

In a statement Sunday, former PNP chief and senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said with the arrest of some of the suspects, authorities can now work on building an “upright case” to convict the perpetrators. 

"Just as we criticized the PNP for the kidnap-slay of Anson Que and Armanie Pabillo, we must now give them credit for the arrest of 3 out of at least 5 suspects. Equally important is the conviction of ALL the perpetrators by building an airtight case," Lacson said

He added the cooperation of the public is important to solve the case.

Lacson also urged the families of the victims to coordinate with the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order, as it may help them deal with the case. 

Meanwhile, Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co hoped that the recent developments in Tan and Pabillo’s case would bring “some comfort” to their families. 

“This is swift, coordinated, and effective police work. Criminals must understand they cannot escape the long arm of the law,” Co said as he praised the PNP for their arrest.

Principals still at large

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo earlier confirmed that two other Chinese "principals" were involved in the crime and remained at large.

“They were also present during the time the victims were held inside the house. These two were with David Tan Liao himself. So aside from the two Filipino suspects, there were a total of five individuals present when the victims were detained,” said Fajardo.

On April 10, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that the bodies of Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo, were found with their arms tied behind their backs and stuffed inside nylon bags that were left on a grassy portion of a road in Rodriguez, Rizal. 

They were last seen alive on March 29 when they left the businessman’s office in Valenzuela City.

Que’s family reportedly 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.

The PNP also stated that they are investigating the possibility that the crime was connected to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO). 

Que’s family, however, denied allegations linking him to POGO, saying that they do not own any rental property in Bulacan. —With a report from Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News