PNP: 3 suspects arrested in Que kidnap-slay, 2 others still at large

Metro Manila, Philippines - Three suspects in the kidnap-slay of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver are now under custody while two others remain at large, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Saturday, April 19.

In a briefing, PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said backtracking CCTV footage in the area of Que's office in Valenzuela led to the identification of two Filipino suspects who allegedly kidnapped and killed the victims.

Police identified the first two arrested suspects as Filipinos Richardo Austria David (also known as Richard Tan Garcia) and Raymart Catequista.

Both served as assistant and driver to the third suspect identified as Chinese citizen David Tan Liao who surrendered to authorities Saturday morning.

“We discovered that this crime had been planned months in advance, starting January of this year,” Fajardo said. “The suspects used a Chinese female contact to lure the businessman and the meeting [was] initially planned last March 28, but was carried out a day after.”

Que, also known as Anson Tan, and his driver Armanie Pabillo were first reported missing on March 29. Their bodies were later on found in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 9.

The supposed kidnappers demanded $20 million in ransom money from the Que family. They paid ₱200 million in crypto currency in multiple tranches.

Fajardo said authorities found some of Que’s belongings inside the house in Bgy. IV in Roxas Palawan, where suspects David and Catequista were arrested at 3:30 am on April 18.

Authorities also found other items like rope, handcuffs, duct tape, and other items that were allegedly used in the victims’ slay.

Five other kidnappings

The PNP revealed that Liao’s arrest also opens new information for five other kidnapping cases where the Chinese were tied to.

Initial probe showed that Liao was previously arrested for kidnapping in Angeles City in November 2009 and is also linked to five other kidnapping cases in other areas in Metro Manila in 2022 and 2024.

"Sa pagkakahuli po… mayroon pa po tayong lima pang kidnapping case na maso-solve po dahil involved din po doon sa mga insidente po na yan," Fajardo said.

[Translation: With the arrest, we still have five more kidnapping cases that can be solved because they are also involved in those incidents.]

Fajardo added the Ford Everest used to throw Que and Pabillo’s bodies in Rizal belonged to the suspects and another vehicle in Bulacan was found to be linked to the five other kidnapping cases.

Possibly POGO-related

Asked about the reason why Liao surrendered, Fajardo said: “Natatakot siya na maaaring ipapatay din siya (He’s scared that he may also be killed).”

She added that Liao gave another reason for his surrender which the police are not at liberty to discuss in public.

Fajardo also said authorities are looking into the case’s possible relation to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

"May tinitingnan po kaming anggulo na posibleng POGO-related ito, pero maliban pa po doon ay meron pa po kaming isa pa pong anggulo na we have very solid lead na tinitingnan. Hindi lamang po kidnapping for ransom ang pakay ng grupo na ito noong kuhanin po nila si Anson Tan,” she said.

[Translation: We are looking at an angle that is possibly POGO-related, but other than that we also have another angle with very solid leads that we are looking at. The purpose of this group when they took Anson Tan was not only kidnapping for ransom.]

A follow-up operation is still ongoing for two other Chinese nationals who are reportedly the masterminds behind the kidnapping.

"May dalawa pa pong Chinese national na kasama sa lugar na pinuntahan po ng ating mga biktima (There are two other Chinese nationals who were at the location where our victim went.)," Fajardo said.

She added that the suspects in custody have undergone inquest proceedings and are facing two counts of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

In a statement, the Que family expressed their “heartfelt gratitude and appreciation” to authorities for the arrest of the suspects.