Anson Que kidnap-slay is ‘hate crime,’ says Fil-Chinese leader

‘NO ordinary case of kidnapping.’

This was the assessment of Cecilio Pedro, immediate past president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), as the Fil-Chinese community expressed shocked, fear and dismay over the brutal kidnap-slay of steel tycoon, Anson Que, and his driver whose bodies were discovered dumped in Rodriguez, Rizal, last April 9.

In a media interview by ‘OnePH’ on Saturday, April 12, Pedro said whoever masterminded the incident must have been harboring ‘deep resentment’ (“matinding galit”) against Que, owner of Elison Steel, as he and his driver showed signs of torture prior to their being murdered, which is unlike other cases of kidnapping where the victim is freed after the ransom money was paid.

He added he does “not know” where the Philippine National Police got its information that Ques’ abduction and murder was related to the operations of ‘POGOs’ (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations) that was ended by the government effective January this year.

Pedro, however, noted that Que has many business interests and all angles must be looked into by investigators.

Despite official denial by the authorities, Pedro stated matter-of-factly that Que’s family indeed paid ransom to the kidnappers.

The figure going around in social media claimed the kidnappers initially demanded $20 million but the amount was negotiated down to $600,000.00.

However, after his body was recovered, the figure gaining traction claimed his family paid between P100 million to P160 million.

Que was last seen having a meeting inside a well-known Chinese Seafood Restaurant along Macapagal Boulevard in Parañaque City last March 29.

His family immediately coordinated with the authorities when he failed to come home the next day to attend to his other business meetings but this proved futile as he was found heavily tortured and dead—hands tied behind his back, duct tape covering his face and put inside a nylon sack– more than a week later.

KFR on the rise under PBBM?

While the most brutal thus far, the kidnapping of Que is the latest in the rising number of ‘Kidnap-for-Ransom’ (KFR) incidents under the Marcos administration, with most of the victims coming from the Fil-Chinese community.

Based on the PNP’s own data released to the media, 13 KFR cases had already been recorded since the start of the year of which 8 of the victims were Fil-Chinese.In 2024, 32 cases were recorded and 26 cases in 2023.

Teresita Ang See, founder of the ‘Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order’ (MRPO), which took the lead during the height of kidnappings during the terms of President Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos (1986 – 1998), said 3 kidnapping cases have been recorded in just 5 weeks alone.

CCW joins call for justice for KFR victims

Meanwhile, the Citizens’ Crime Watch (CCW), in a statement on April 10, said it joins the family, friends, and other peace and order advocates in condemning the brutal kidnapping and murder of Que.

“Like everyone else, we are distressed to learn that Que and his driver were killed despite his family allegedly paying ransom to the still unidentified kidnappers of more than P100 million,” said CCW chairman, Atty. Virgilio Batalla.

“This is already one incident of kidnapping too many. Given Que’s prominence in the business community, we hope his death would not affect the trust and confidence of investors into pouring their capital into our economy, especially during this period of uncertainty of doing business due to external factors.

“We call on the authorities to solve this case swiftly and expeditiously and for the public to remain focus on this dastardly incident until all the perpetrators are identified, rounded up, and brought to justice.

“In the meantime, the CCW has just concluded its General Assembly and has elected its new set of officers with the undersigned as chairman.

“Rest assured that in the coming days, the CCW, in partnership with concerned government agencies and like-minded civic groups, would once again be in the forefront in our collective campaign to shield our citizens and our communities from the menace of violent crimes,” Batalla said.