Mastermind to be named, charged within days—Marbil
Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil yesterday declared as solved the abduction and murder of steel magnate Anson Que [a.k.a. Anson Tan and Congyuan Guo] and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.
He also said the PNP is set to unmask and file cases this week against the mastermind of the twin kidnap killings.
“Case solved…This was not a random act of kidnap-for-ransom, but a calculated kidnap-for-hire operation,” the country’s top cop said even as he held back naming the supposed mastermind, who remains at large.
In a statement, Marbil lauded his organization for the swift resolution of the grisly killings, calling it a landmark breakthrough that underscores the police’s effectiveness in swiftly solving heinous crimes.
Investigations revealed that Chinese national David Tan Liao, also known by aliases “Xiao Chang Jiang,” “Yang,” “Jianmin,” and “Michael Agad Yung,” who is now under police custody after voluntarily surrendering, orchestrated the crime at the mastermind’s behest.
His Filipino cohorts, Raymart Catequista and Richard Tan Garcia (alias Ricardo Austria David), were arrested in Roxas, Palawan, on April 18.
Earlier, the PNP confirmed that the two other Chinese nationals were being pursued for being “key figures” in the case.
The two suspects were allegedly present at the location where Que and Pabillo were held.
“They were also present during the time the victims were held inside the house. These two were with David Tan Liao himself. So aside from the two Filipino suspects, there were a total of five individuals present when the victims were detained,” PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo told reporters on Saturday.
She also said that Liao surrendered out of fear for his life.
“He fears that he will be killed too and has a personal reason which we will later reveal once we have the clearance,” Fajardo disclosed.
The police spokesperson also said investigators are looking into the possible involvement of Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the killing of Que and Pabillo.
Furthermore, Marbil said Liao personally directed a rogue kidnap-for-hire operation wherein he recruited and paid local henchmen to carry out abductions and executions.
The PNP chief said the group committed deliberate, contract-based crimes targeting individuals embroiled in disputes over unpaid debts, betrayals, or internal conflicts.
“In effect, Liao’s criminal scheme operated like a rogue collection agency—except they collected through blood,” Marbil remarked.
He emphasized that the PNP’s swift case buildup, pursuit operations, and intelligence coordination were key to dismantling Liao’s network and solving five other major kidnap-for-hire cases linked to the same group.
“With six major cases now resolved, our focus is on the financiers—the real power behind these blood-for-hire operations,” he said.
The top cop also emphasized that there is no widespread or random kidnapping spree in the country.
“These are isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas. The situation is firmly under control. Our law enforcement strategies are effective. Criminal networks are being taken down,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the PNP under Marbil for the swift arrest of several suspects in the brutal killing.
He said the development demonstrates the Marcos administration’s resolve to deliver justice and protect the public from organized crime.
“This case proves that our law enforcement institutions, when fully supported, are capable of solving even the most complex crimes without resorting to violence or extrajudicial means,” Romualdez said on Sunday.
“We commend the PNP, led by General Marbil, for showing that the rule of law works when we are united in purpose and committed to due process,” he added.
This developed as Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel urged President Marcos to mobilize the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) to support civilian law enforcement in gathering actionable information against kidnapping syndicates.
“The President may lawfully deploy ISAFP, as well as the intelligence units of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) in countering kidnapping groups – particularly when their activities pose threats to public safety or national security,” he said.
Citing the 1987 Constitution, Pimentel emphasized that the President, as commander-in-chief, holds broad authority to direct military operations, including intelligence activities, in matters concerning internal security and public order.