Slain trader’s son gives DOJ ‘vital info’ on case
Alvin Que, son of slain businessman Anson Que, submitted his sworn statement to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday, which reportedly provides “vital information” about his father’s death.
Alvin’s lawyer Pearlito Campanilla, told reporters that his client offered details that could facilitate the prosecution of those responsible for the kidnap for ransom and murder case.
“[It’s] vital in the sense that … it is a narrative that contains what had happened from the time of the abduction up to the time of the positive identification of Anson Que. And in between is the protracted and tedious, difficult negotiation for the ransom,” Campanilla said.
“Alvin and the entire Que family are hopeful that with the collective efforts of the authorities and the strength of the evidence now being presented, justice will soon be served. We stand in solidarity with all families who have suffered similar losses and we will continue to push for justice on behalf of all people,” he added.
He also insisted that his client was innocent after one of the suspects arrested by the police pointed to Alvin as the supposed “brains” behind his father’s murder.
Proof of life
“In fact, the negotiation of the ransom, his request for proof of life—those are very indicative that he really had absolutely nothing to do with it,” Campanilla said.
Anson 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 referral letter, the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group recommended charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide against three main suspects: Richardo Austria David (also known as Richard Tan Garcia), Reymart Catequista and David Tan Liao.
The police also sought to include Alvin and four others in the preliminary investigation, supposedly based on the extrajudicial confession of Liao, whom the PNP previously identified as the leader of the gang behind the kidnapping and murder case.
However, the police later filed a motion to amend the complaint and requested Alvin’s removal from the list of respondents because “no other evidence can be adduced against [him].”
Over the weekend, authorities arrested another suspect identified as Chinese national Wenli Gong, also known as Kelly Tan Lim, in Boracay.
She was allegedly used by Liao to lure Que to the place where he was captured, and also facilitated the transfer of the ransom money paid by his family to the group.
