PNP: P5-M reward offered for arrest of suspect in Anson Que kidnap-slay

A P5 million reward is offered for information that can lead to the arrest of one of the suspects in the killing of Chinese businessman Anson Que, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo identified the suspect as Chinese national Wenli Gong, also known as Kelly Tan Lim, Bao Wenli, Axin, and Huang Yanling.

“Naglagay na po tayo ng (We put up) P5 million reward for any information that will lead to the possible location and whereabouts of Kelly,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo said the reward came from a concerned citizen.

According to the PNP official, Kelly was the one who lured Que to go to the Bulacan apartment where he was held captive with his driver and the one who communicated with his family for the ransom.

Police have named a total of five suspects in the killing of Que and his driver so far, including those already in custody, David Tan Liao, Richardo Austria, and Reymart Catequista, and those still at large, Jonin Lin and Kelly.

Two more Chinese in Boracay are also being questioned for their possible connection with Kelly.

Fajardo said a P200-million ransom in exchange for Que’s freedom was transferred in batches through casino junket operators.

More than five people received the money before it was converted into cryptocurrency, two of whom are already in custody.

The PNP is looking into holding the casino and junket operators accountable.

Anson Que’s son involved?

On Tuesday, it was reported that Anson Que's 42-year-old son, Ronxian Gou or Alvin Que, was one of the six names recommended for preliminary investigation by the PNP - Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 19.

The Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) on Wednesday called out the PNP for linking Alvin Que to the kidnapping and slaying of his father, Anson Que.

In a statement, the MRPO expressed outrage after the PNP released the extrajudicial confession of one of the suspects in Anson Que’s killing, David Tan Liao. 

“Why is the word of a notorious criminal the sole source of your evidence? Why did Alvin Que become a person of interest only on the word from Liao, a known kidnapper and gun for hire responsible for the deaths of more than a dozen kidnap victims?” the MRPO said.

“Where is the investigation that corroborates Liao's claim? Are there other people who affirm this single statement? Where is the physical and/or digital evidence that supports the claim that the son is involved?” it added.

According to the MRPO, Alvin Que and his wife submitted themselves and their phones for PNP investigation even if they were advised by their counsel not to do so.

“The preliminary investigation revealed no information. Yes, the result is preliminary, but it already counters and does not support the initial statement made by Liao,” the MRPO said.

The MRPO also called out media outlets “who released their news without verifying.”

Fajardo pointed out that the authorities “cannot just turn a blind eye” to the allegations.

“That is the reason why dinaan namin sa preliminary investigation so the family can submit contrary evidence to prove na hindi totoo,” she added.

Fajardo said that the PNP was also considering the possibility that Liao was lying to cover up for someone or to save himself from being tagged as the mastermind.

“We cannot discount the possibility that David Tan Liao was misleading the investigation to cover up for someone. There is also a possibility that David Tan Liao is the mastermind himself,” Fajardo said.

In a statement on Wednesday night, a lawyer for Alvin Que said the family had been in communication with the PNP.

"The family has been in constant communication with the Task Force, offering whatever information is in their possession to help bring their Father’s murderers to justice," Atty. Jose Christopher Belmonte said.

"The PNP communicated to us that, aside from the bare assertion of David Tan Liao, no other evidence can be adduced against Alvin, thus, they are submitting a Motion to the DOJ to amend the complaint requesting the removal of Alvin’s name from the list of respondents," he added.

"We thank the Philippine National Police under the leadership of Chief PNP Gen. Rommel Marbil for the swift clarification on the erroneous reports regarding Mr. Alvin Que," Belmonte said.

On April 10, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed that the bodies of Que and his driver were found stuffed inside nylon bags 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 P100 million, but the victims were still killed. –NB, GMA Integrated News