DOJ clears victim’s son in Que kidnap-slay case
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its preliminary investigation into the case of Chinese businessman Anson Que, clearing his son Alvin of any involvement in his father’s abduction and killing.
“Incidentally, Anson Que’s son, Alvin Que, has been exculpated due to lack of evidence to establish or indicate his involvement in the crime …,” the DOJ said in a statement on Wednesday.
It also announced that it found prima facie evidence with [a] reasonable certainty of conviction against another suspect, Gong Wen Li, also known as “Kelly.”
According to the DOJ, it has issued a resolution directing the filing of two informations against Gong for the offense of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.
The resolution also recommended that respondents Yuan Haohua, Yuan Fangquiang and Lee Hsiao Ting be referred to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group for case buildup for possible violations of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
“The department emphasizes that the resolution is not a determination of guilt but a directive to proceed to trial based on the sufficiency of evidence presented during the investigation,” the DOJ said.
“The respondents will be afforded their full right to due process, and their constitutional rights will be safeguarded throughout the judicial proceedings,” it added.
Anson Que, a steel factory owner whose legal name is Anson Tan, went missing with his driver, Armanie Pabillo, on March 29. Both were last seen in the businessman’s Lexus van, which was headed for Parañaque City.
Que’s family reported the abduction after receiving a ransom demand for their release.
Although ransom was paid, both men were killed. Que’s van was later found abandoned, and their bodies were discovered the following day in Rodriguez, Rizal.
In an April 19 referral letter, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group recommended that charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide be filed against three main suspects: Richardo Austria David (also known as Richard Tan Garcia), Reymart Catequista and David Tan Liao.
More suspects charged
Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said in an update on Wednesday that a resolution on the trio’s case was issued over a month ago, and the corresponding informations for two counts of kidnapping for ransom with homicide were filed before a court in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Aside from the three primary suspects, the PNP initially recommended that Alvin and five others, including Gong or “Kelly,” undergo preliminary investigation.
This move was based on the extrajudicial confession of Liao, previously identified by authorities as the gang leader, that Alvin was the one who masterminded his father’s kidnapping and killing.
However, the police later filed a motion to amend their complaint, requesting the removal of Alvin’s name from the list of respondents, saying “no other evidence can be adduced against [him].”
Gong was arrested in May in Boracay, where she had been hiding since April 26. According to the PNP, she was allegedly used by Liao to lure Que to the place where he was held and killed. She also facilitated the transfer of the ransom money paid by the businessman’s family to his captors.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of $20 million from the victim’s family, who paid P200 million in cryptocurrency in multiple tranches.
The PNP earlier identified two casino junket operators, 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club, which were used to deposit the ransom money. The funds were transferred from one e-wallet account to another before being converted into cryptocurrency.
