Philippine police recently cracked the case of the kidnapping and murder of Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver, with three suspects now detained. Despite the victim's family's firm denial of any connection with the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO), the police stated that the background is still under investigation, and no possibilities have been ruled out.
Three Arrested, Major Breakthrough in the Case
The Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) confirmed that three suspects have been detained, identified as Richardo David, Raymart Catequista, and Chinese national David Tan Liao. The police revealed that Liao voluntarily surrendered on April 13 and confessed to participating in the crime, while the other two suspects were arrested on Palawan Island on April 12.
Anson Que and his driver Armani Pabillo went missing after leaving their office on March 29. The next day, the family received a ransom call from the kidnappers, demanding a ransom of 20 million US dollars. Although negotiations were held, both were unfortunately killed, and their bodies were found on April 9 in a remote area of Rodriguez city in Rizal province.
High-Level Attention, Police Action Affirmed
Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdez publicly affirmed the police's swift response under the leadership of General Rommel Marbil, the Chief of the National Police, noting that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is highly concerned about the case and provided key support for solving it.
"The President has shown strong leadership, and the police responded quickly and properly, setting a model for modern law enforcement," Romualdez stated.
The police pointed out that the case was solved quickly by integrating multiple methods such as CCTV surveillance, online data tracking, and forensic technology.
POGO Background Still Under Investigation, Family Firmly Denies
Despite public speculation about the case's connection to the POGO industry, the police responded that this clue is still being investigated and no conclusions have been reached. On April 12, the Guo family issued a statement firmly denying:
"Our father has always stayed away from illegal industries, conducted business cautiously, and never cooperated with people of unknown background," the family emphasized.
The police are still pursuing two foreign suspects on the run, believing them to be core members of the criminal gang. The National Police stated that they will cooperate with international law enforcement agencies to capture the fugitives and ensure a thorough investigation of the case.
