Senatorial candidate Panfilo Lacson called on authorities to recover the ransom money paid in the kidnap-slay case of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo, saying this is crucial to restoring public trust—especially among the Chinese-Filipino community.
He stressed the need for the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to track digital transactions, noting that at least 20 ransom payments were reportedly made via e-wallets, potentially amounting to P200 million in pesos and dollars.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that Que and Pabillo died of asphyxia due to manual strangulation using an orange rope.
Two suspects, Richardo Austria David and Raymart Catequista, admitted to the killings and claimed they were ordered by a certain David Tan Liao.
The PNP is now looking into possible links to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), suspecting that the group is part of a kidnap-for-hire ring targeting individuals with gambling debts.
Lacson emphasized the importance of building a strong case and securing convictions, cautioning against premature public disclosures that may cast doubt on the victims’ character.
The former senator also said there's no need to formally involve the military in anti-kidnapping operations, noting existing coordination between intelligence units of the police and military.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) meanwhile said that autopsy results confirmed that the victims died from asphyxia due to manual strangulation.
“They were strangled using an orange-colored rope,” said PNP spokesperson and Police Regional Office-III chief BGen. Jean Fajardo during a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
One of the suspects in Que’s murder has also been linked to a 2024 incident involving the alleged finance officer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.
According to Fajardo, the officer was assaulted in Guo’s villa by a man identified as Liao, who allegedly gagged her, handcuffed her, and wrapped her head with duct tape.
The PNP is currently preparing additional documents and evidence to support a supplemental complaint affidavit to formally implicate the suspected mastermind. With Vince Lopez