PNP SAYS SUSPECTS IN ANSON QUE KIDNAP-SLAY IN CUSTODY

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday announced it has taken into custody three suspects in the brutal kidnap-slay last March 29, of Fil-Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver.

At a press conference in Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson, PBGen. Jean Fajardo, identified the suspects as Ricardo Austria David, Raymart Catequista and David Tan Liao.

The PNP said Liao is actually a Chinese national who also goes by the names ‘Xiaoxiang Yang,’ ‘Yang Jianmin,’ and ‘Michael Abadyung.’

Fajardo said Liao voluntarily surrendered to the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) “for fear of his life” and confessed on his involvement in the crime.

David and Catequista, on the other hand, were tracked down in Palawan where they were arrested on Friday, April 18.

Fajardo said the suspects were identified through surveillance footage, cyber monitoring, and intelligence reports.

Fajardo said they are still hunting at least two more suspects who could be the “mastermind” of the crime that sent shockwaves not only in the Fil-Chinese community but in the entire country for its brutality.

Que and his driver, Armie Pabillo, were last seen alive by their families on March 29. Reports said Pabillo drove Que, also known as Anson Tan, to a well-known Chinese seafood restaurant in Macapagal Avenue for a meeting and then nothing.

Fajardo said police investigation established that the two then went to a house at Number 345 Martha Street, Meycauyan, Bulacan, supposedly to meet a Chinese national but it was a “set-up,” Fajardo averred.

Que and Pabillo were killed inside the house, Fajardo said, citing the evidence they gathered.

Their bodies, showing signs of torture, were found dump at a roadside in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 9.

The Fil-Chinese business community believed that Que’s killing is not a simple case of kidnapping but is also a “hate crime,” given the severity of the beatings he and Pabillo received. (Pinoy Exposé, April 15, 2025).

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. noted Que was killed despite his family paying ransom to the kidnappers but the PNP remained silent in confirming this.

The day after Que and Pabillo failed to come home, his family confirmed receiving a ransom demand thru ‘WeChat’ amounting to $20 million.

Mainstream and social media reports claimed Que’s family paid between P100 million and P160 million to his abductors.

Fajardo said Que’s abduction was planned in advance. “We discovered that this crime had been planned months in advance, starting as early as January this year,” she said.

Fajardo also again floated the PNP’s official line that the crime is related to ‘POGO’ but this was firmly rejected by Que’s family and those who know him in the business community.

“Mr. Tan has been engaged in legitimate business for decades and is a stalwart member of the Filipino-Chinese business community and is known for his charitable work.

“During his lifetime, he stayed away from shady dealings and only did business with people he knew and trusted,” the family told mainstream media.

Right after the arrest, Que’s family and the FFCCCII issued a statement thanking President Marcos Jr. and the PNP for their efforts.

“Your tireless efforts made a real difference in the early arrest of the malefactors, and we are grateful for your perseverance.

“We highly appreciate your bravery and courage in keeping our community safe,” the family statement said.