‘Brains’ named in kidnap-slay of Tsinoy businessman, driver
The Philippine National Police on Friday named David Tan Liao, Kelly Tan Lim, and another unnamed suspect as the alleged masterminds in the killing of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil told reporters there was a third mastermind, but he did not name this suspect. “We are still looking for someone,” he said.
He also said there were still others involved, but he could not name them yet “because we are still pursuing these people.”
Marbil identified Lim, who remains at large, as an “accomplice” of Liao.
“We are looking for [her] with a P5 million bounty,” the PNP chief said.
Conflicting statements
Lim had allegedly lured Que (also known to the Chinese-Filipino community as Anson Tan) to go to a house in Meycauayan, Bulacan, where the businessman and his driver were held captive then killed.
Tan and Pabillo were killed on April 8 and their bodies were found the next day at a roadside in Sitio Udiongan, Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez town.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the kidnappers had initially demanded $20 million (P1.1 billion), but only about P200 million in cryptocurrency was sent to the suspects.
Liao and two other Filipino suspects were arrested later that month and are now detained at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.
Marbil said the three were part of a syndicate. “That’s what we want [to know], their motive,” he said.
Son linked, then cleared
The PNP had earlier cleared Que’s son Alvin, with Fajardo saying the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) has been asked to amend its complaint against him.
Liao had implicated Alvin Que in his father’s killing but police have found no evidence supporting that allegation.
Civic leader and anti-crime crusader Teresita Ang See had criticized the PNP for its conflicting statements regarding Alvin Que, as she cited his cooperation with investigators.
She also criticized media reports citing Liao’s implication of Alvin Que in the crime.
