The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Sunday that operations are ongoing to capture the masterminds behind the gruesome kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.
Although three suspects—Ricardo Austria David, Raymart Catequista, and David Tan Liao—are already in custody, authorities say these individuals acted as enforcers in a much larger kidnap-for-hire scheme.
“These suspects were the muscle of the operation. We are actively tracking the masterminds,” said PNP Public Information Office Chief Police Colonel Randulf Tuaño in a radio interview.
Liao, identified as the group’s leader, is a Chinese national also known by several aliases including “Xiao Chang Jiang” and “Michael Agad Yung.” He allegedly operated a violent, rogue collection racket—recruiting local criminals to carry out kidnappings and killings over personal and financial disputes.
“This was not a random kidnapping,” said PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil. “It was a planned, contractual execution. Liao’s operation worked like a shadowy collection agency—but paid in blood.”
The PNP says their investigation has also helped resolve five other major kidnap-for-hire cases linked to the same network. The focus now shifts to identifying the financial backers behind the scheme.
Two additional Chinese nationals remain at large and were reportedly present when Que and Pabillo were detained. The victims were found dead on April 10 in Rodriguez, Rizal—11 days after they were last seen leaving Que’s office in Valenzuela City.
Despite Que’s family paying three ransom demands totaling P100 million, the victims were killed. The PNP noted that this case deviates from typical kidnap-for-ransom patterns, where victims are usually released after payment.
Investigators are also probing possible ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), though Que’s family has denied any involvement, stating they don’t own rental properties in Bulacan.
Marbil emphasized that these incidents are isolated and not indicative of a widespread kidnapping problem. “This is a targeted, calculated criminal act. The situation remains under control,” he assured.