On April 11, Rommel Marbil, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, stated that the police have identified the suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder of Chinese businessman Anson Tan and his driver Armanie Pabillo, and are currently intensifying their manhunt.
It is reported that the Bureau of Immigration has been notified and has obtained information about the suspects to prevent them from fleeing the country. Although the police are capable of arresting some of the suspects immediately, Marbil admitted, "We could arrest people now, but we prefer to catch the mastermind."
The police began their investigation as soon as Guo Congyuan and his driver disappeared, gradually uncovering that the nature of this case was far more complex than a simple kidnapping for ransom. Marbil pointed out, "The case has taken a significant turn, but it is not convenient to reveal too much at this stage."
Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla also responded to rumors that Guo Congyuan was killed due to debts forced by POGO. He stated that the government has more intelligence, but to avoid interfering with the investigation, details will not be disclosed for now, "We need to act quietly."
Before the incident, the black van driven by Guo Congyuan and his driver was found abandoned in Quezon City, and CCTV footage showed the vehicle's route was unusual. The police do not rule out the involvement of an illegal "debt collection gang" composed of Chinese nationals related to the offshore gaming industry (POGO).
Police spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo revealed that the gang is suspected of forcibly collecting debts for POGO operators, even using violent threats. He added, "These individuals are also Chinese citizens who have been involved in organized crime in the past, now being jointly investigated by the criminal investigation and anti-kidnapping units."
Meanwhile, the Justice Department is also actively investigating whether the case involves forces behind POGO. According to Remulla, he has held a closed-door meeting with the National Bureau of Investigation and the police on this issue. Previously, some media reported that some POGO companies had pressured Guo Congyuan to "refund" money, which might be one of the criminal motives.
This case has caused great concern among the Chinese community. To calm public sentiment, Marbil held a high-level meeting with the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) on April 11. He promised, "We will spare no effort to solve the case quickly and bring justice to society."
Both parties also decided to establish a cooperative mechanism, including strengthening collaboration with local police stations, enhancing surveillance in commercial areas, and holding safety seminars to raise awareness among the Chinese community.
In response to recent concerns about deteriorating security, Marbil clarified, "The Philippines is still a suitable country for business and tourism. Individual incidents should not define the entire country; we should define ourselves with a shared commitment to uphold law and order and security."
At the same time, renowned overseas Chinese leader Hong Yuhua criticized some law enforcement officers for extorting money from Chinese businessmen in the Minlunluo region under the guise of combating kidnapping. She pointed out, "Some police officers forcibly take people from shops to check documents, extorting money under the pretext of 'illegal Chinese.' The situation is serious." She called on Marbil to thoroughly investigate such abuses of power and to strictly rectify the chaos within the police force, especially the long-standing negligence of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).
