The Philippine National Police (PNP) recently disclosed that Chinese fugitive Yang Jianmin (David Tan Liao), suspected to be the mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of Anson Que, is highly connected to five kidnapping cases involving Chinese nationals in the Metro Manila area since 2022. This discovery has elevated the case to a multi-year, multi-location, organized serial kidnapping network.
PNP spokesperson Jean Fajardo pointed out that Yang Jianmin's capture could be key to solving the case. He revealed that two vehicles involved in Yang's case have become crucial links in connecting the incidents—one Ford Everest SUV was seen at the scene of the Anson Que case, and another was involved in the disappearance of another victim in Bulacan province.
"The vehicles used by Yang are almost identical, and the modus operandi is very similar, indicating that this is not an isolated incident but a planned, organized criminal network." — Jean Fajardo
The police have currently confirmed the following five suspicious kidnapping cases in terms of time and location:
November 2022: Muntinlupa
February 3, 2024: Paranaque City, near Solaire Casino
August 2024: Pasay City
December 2024: Muntinlupa again
February 2025: Paranaque City
All cases involve high ransom demands and victims of Chinese descent, with similar crime logic.
Previous Kidnapping Convictions, Suspected Use of Multiple Identities to Evade Pursuit
More notably, the police confirmed that Yang Jianmin is not a first-time offender. In 2009, he was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga province, for involvement in a kidnapping case, using the name "Yang Jianmin" or "Mike Agad Yang". In 2016, he changed his name to "David Chen Liao" and has been active under this identity since.
"Frequent changes of identity are a planned method of evasion." — Jean Fajardo stated.
Connection to Illegal Gambling Groups? Police Focus on "Hired" Crime Model
In response to whether there is a connection with the illegal online gambling industry in the Philippines, the police said that there are clues linking Yang to certain illegal gambling groups, but the more definite motive seems to be hired retaliation rather than simple ransom extortion.
"In the Anson Que case, we found that the actions were not random, but rather a 'targeted elimination', possibly involving debts, grudges, or business disputes."
The police are currently expanding their investigation to track down possible financial backers or masterminds behind the kidnapping operations.
