Que slay suspect linked to kidnap of Guo aide

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese national being held for the kidnapping and killing of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo was also involved in the abduction and rape of a finance officer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

The Philippine National Police said the case involving Guo’s finance officer was among the five other crimes where the Chinese, David Tan Liao, was a key player.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the victim was kidnapped somewhere in Pasay City on Aug. 31, 2024 at around 10 p.m.

“When she entered the villa, David Tan Liao was already waiting,” Fajardo said in Filipino at a news briefing Monday afternoon.

Fajardo said the victim, whom she did not identify, was handcuffed and her head wrapped in duct tape.

She said Tan Liao and his cohorts took an undetermined amount of cash, jewelry and mobile phones from her and brought her to an unknown location.

Tan Liao allegedly forced Guo’s finance officer into signing blank deeds of sale and promissory notes worth P10 million, as well as blank checks.

The victim was sexually abused by Tan Liao and other members of his group, including one of his sons.

“According to the victim, her captors raped her,” Fajardo said.

Details on how the finance officer was released were not discussed by Fajardo.

In a related development, Sen. Imee Marcos denied personally knowing Tan Liao despite being shown together with him in a group photo circulating on social media.

In an interview, Marcos said the photo showing her and Tan Liao together was taken during a Chinese New Year party in her San Juan City residence attended by several other Filipino-Chinese.

“I don’t know those people. During Chinese New Year every year we would hold a party in San Juan. Different Chinese and Chinese-Filipino people would show up, and there’s Anson,” Marcos said in Filipino.

“I can’t remember the other one,” referring to Tan Liao. “People kept coming in and out – it’s like an open house during Chinese New Year.”

Tan Liao surrendered to the police on April 19. His two alleged Filipino accomplices, Ricardo David and Raymart Catequista, were arrested the previous day in Roxas, Palawan.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the Philippine National Police (PNP) must work around the clock to arrest those sowing fear and violence in communities.

Secure conviction of suspects

Former senator Panfilo Lacson, who is running again for senator, said the PNP should build an airtight case against the killers of Que and Pabillo.

“Equally important is the conviction of all the perpetrators by building an airtight case,” Lacson said in a post on his X account.

Lacson, a former PNP chief, lauded the arrest of the suspects but reminded authorities to ensure their conviction.

Leaders of the House of Representatives also welcomed the arrest of three suspects in the killing of Que and Pabillo, saying it was a result of intensified law enforcement efforts under the Marcos administration.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, chairman of the House committee on public order and safety, said the arrests showed the government’s resolve in pursuing justice and protecting the public from criminals.

“This swift action by the PNP proves that under the leadership of President Marcos, our law enforcement agencies are working with greater precision and efficiency in solving crimes,” Barbers said in a statement.

He commended PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil and his men for their professionalism in carrying out the arrest.

“This is an excellent example of what determined, evidence-based policing can achieve. Kudos to Gen. Marbil and his team for getting the job done without unnecessary loss of life,” Barbers said.

He also emphasized that the arrests have proven that justice can be achieved through proper legal procedures.

“This development shows the growing capacity of our law enforcement agencies to resolve cases with professionalism and restraint. We should encourage this kind of performance from our police officers,” Barbers said.

“We must continue building on this. The public deserves to feel safe, and that comes from knowing that justice is being served through due process,” he said.

Fernandez also praised the orderly and bloodless police operation that led to the surrender of Tan Liao and the arrest of his Filipino cohorts.

“This is really good news! This is a proof that the government is serious in the fight against crimes. And most of all, no one was killed during the operations. The police can do it,” Fernandez said.

“We can see that our government has a clear direction to security. We can see the fruit of the coordinated action of our agencies,” he said.

Fernandez assured the public that Congress will continue to support law enforcement and institutional reforms to improve public safety.

“We are behind the programs of the government to make our community safe,” he said. — Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jose Rodel Clapano