Lawyer of Anson Que widow wants his son Alvin to answer allegations, present proof

A lawyer for the widow of Anson Que wants his son, Alvin, who was included in the Philippine National Police's complaint in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the slain businessman and his driver, to answer the allegations against him through a counter-affidavit and pieces of evidence.

Atty. Melita D. Go, the legal counsel for Que's widow Elizabeth Go Siong Tan and family, issued the statement after the PNP announced that it was amending its complaint to remove the name of Alvin Que from the list of respondents, saying there was not enough evidence to include him in the raps.

"The private complainants and counsels believe that all respondents, including Alvin Que, should be
accorded the opportunity to explain their side by submitting their respective counter-affidavit and their witnesses, in accordance with the Rules on Preliminary Investigation," Go said.

She said this was meant to "prevent any appearance of inconsistency, lack of thoroughness, objectivity, and transparency, and any impression of suppression of truth insofar as those persons who were recommended by the PNP for regular preliminary investigation."

“The PNP cannot unilaterally and simply withdraw a case against any suspect without the latter submitting his or her controverting counter-affidavit and supporting evidence after being officially included as respondents per official DOJ records,” Go said.

Go said her clients, Elizabeth Tan and family, were not implicating Alvin in the kidnapping and killing of Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo.

"However, since Alvin Que was implicated by David Tan Liao as stated in his extrajudicial confession, the family was alarmed and could not believe the information as Alvin Que is the non-marital son of
Anson Tan and stepson of Elizabeth G. Tan," Go said.

GMA News Online is seeking comment from the PNP and the Alvin's lawyer and will publish their comment as soon as they are available.

“After all, it was the PNP that prepared and filed the Referral Letter to DOJ identifying them as among the respondents. Besides, David Tan Liao maintained his allegations against Alvin Que as he did not refute his extrajudicial confession,” Go added.

On Tuesday, it was reported that Anson’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.

This is after Liao claimed that Alvin allegedly ordered the kidnapping and killing of his father. 

Go said the DOJ had to determine the veracity of Laio’s statement in accordance with the procedure under the DOJ circular and in conformity with due process of law.

The lawyer said that on April 18, police officials talked to the family in a virtual meeting where authorities presented them reasons why Alvin was considered a primary suspect:

• Alvin Que and his wife not only ceased coordination with AKG since 02 April 2025 but they also provided a wrong phone number of Anson Tan thereby rendering improbable the tracing of calls from the mobile phone of the victim; 
• the ransom money given by Alvin Que and his wife passed through the account of his brother-in-law, Pan Zen Liang (Victor), while the younger sister of Alvin Que, Guo Pingle (Amy) and the non-marital child of Anson, hurriedly left for China on 30 March 2025 and returned to the Philippines only during the funeral of Anson Tan; 
• there were still deposits of ransom money made by Alvin Que and his wife on 09 April 2025 and 11 April 2025 despite the fact that they already know that Anson Tan was killed and lying in state at the Sanctuarium by that time;
• there was no documentation from the Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) regarding the money trail of the ransom totaling about 200 million pesos paid by Alvin Que and his wife. To date the family was not informed by the PNP about the outcome of their coordination with the AMLC.

The PNP on Thursday cleared the name of Alvin. PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the AKG intended as early as Monday to remove Alvin as one of the respondents in the complaint.

“Nito pong nakaraang Lunes, unang araw, unang criminal investigation, 'yung mga lawyers po ng AKG already manifested our intention to amend the complaint po,” Fajardo said in a press conference.

(Last Monday, first day of criminal investigation, the lawyers of AKG already manifested our intention to amend the complaint.)

“Orally, sinabi po nila 'yan because there are no corroborating evidence that will link Alvin Que sa kidnapping at eventual pagpatay sa tatay po nila,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO) on Wednesday called out the PNP for linking Alvin to the kidnapping and slay of his father based on Liao’s statements.

“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.

Go on Friday appealed to MRPO founding chairperson Teresita Ang See to be cautious in making statements.

“As one of those advocating for the protection, safety and well-being of the Filipino-Chinese community, I appeal to Mrs. Teresita Ang See to be cautious in making statements that would only confuse or hinder the objective, thorough, fair, and transparent process of uncovering the actual facts of the case as required and guaranteed by due process of law,” Go 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.

Police have named a total of five suspects in the killing of Anson 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 Wenli Gong, also known as Kelly Tan Lim, Bao Wenli, Axin, and Huang Yanling.

A P5 million reward is offered for information that can lead to the arrest of Kelly, who allegedly lured Anson to go to the Bulacan apartment where he was held captive with his driver and communicated with his family for the ransom.

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

Fajardo earlier 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. –NB, GMA Integrated News