Slain trader’s son not among respondents, PNP clarifies
The family of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que, along with top police investigators, were surprised by reports implicating his son, Alvin, in his kidnapping and murder based on the “unfounded allegations” of the main suspect in the case.
“My client Alvin Que and his family, together with the PNP (Philippine National Police) Task Force headed by Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo and CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, were shocked at the media reports that came out [on Tuesday],” lawyer Jose Christopher Belmonte said on Thursday.
According to Belmonte, the reports were based on “the unfounded allegations of one David Tan Liao,” who claimed in his extrajudicial confession that Alvin had ordered him to kidnap and kill his father.
The lawyer said the PNP will submit a motion to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to amend the complaint and request the removal of Alvin’s name from the list of respondents because “no other evidence can be adduced against [him],” except the claim of Liao.
“We thank the Philippine National Police under the leadership of … Gen. Rommel Marbil for the swift clarification on the erroneous reports regarding Mr. Alvin Que,” Belmonte added.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo earlier confirmed there was no evidence corroborating Liao’s accusation that Que’s son was involved.
Confidential report
“Based on the case buildup and the PNP investigation, there was no direct evidence linking Mr. Alvin Que to the kidnapping of his father,” she said.
Fajardo also said an investigation was underway to find out who leaked Liao’s extrajudicial confession to the media, which was supposed to be confidential.
“The PNP chief is very mad. Whoever released it, tell us who they are and we will file cases and dismiss them from the service because that is a confidential document,” she added.
Que, whose legal name is Anson Tan, and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found dead on April 9 in Rodriguez, Rizal, after they went missing on March 29.
In an April 19 letter to Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) sought charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide against Richardo Austria David, Reymart Catequista, and Liao, who appeared for inquest proceedings at the DOJ earlier this week.
The PNP-AKG had also recommended that Alvin be placed under preliminary investigation along with four other suspects.
