‘Case solved’: Two more suspects in kidnap-slay of Anson Que arrested
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‘Case solved’: Two more suspects in kidnap-slay of Anson Que arrested
MANILA (UPDATED) — Joint operatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Security Council have arrested two more suspects in the kidnapping and killing of Chinese businessman Anson Que—also known as Anson Tan—and his driver. One of the suspects is believed to be a co-mastermind in the brutal crime, police said Monday.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Joint operatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the National Security Council have arrested two more suspects in the kidnapping and killing of Chinese businessman Anson Que—also known as Anson Tan—and his driver. One of the suspects is believed to be a co-mastermind in the brutal crime, police said Monday.
Among those arrested was Chinese national Gong Wen Li, alias Kelly Tan, who was found hiding with her three young children and parents. Authorities said she had frequently changed hotels and used multiple identities in an attempt to evade capture. She allegedly chartered a private jet from Manila to Aklan during her escape.
Among those arrested was Chinese national Gong Wen Li, alias Kelly Tan, who was found hiding with her three young children and parents. Authorities said she had frequently changed hotels and used multiple identities in an attempt to evade capture. She allegedly chartered a private jet from Manila to Aklan during her escape.
In a media briefing at Camp Crame PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the arrest was made on Saturday at a resort in Boracay, Aklan—a popular tourist destination frequented by foreigners.
In a media briefing at Camp Crame PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the arrest was made on Saturday at a resort in Boracay, Aklan—a popular tourist destination frequented by foreigners.
"Considered solved na po itong kaso, sir, considering na majority if not all of the main players po are taken into custody," said Fajardo.
"Considered solved na po itong kaso, sir, considering na majority if not all of the main players po are taken into custody," said Fajardo.
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(We now consider this case solved, sir, considering that the majority—if not all—of the main players are in custody.)
(We now consider this case solved, sir, considering that the majority—if not all—of the main players are in custody.)
She added that police are now focused on tracing and recovering the ransom money that Que’s family had paid but was never returned.
She added that police are now focused on tracing and recovering the ransom money that Que’s family had paid but was never returned.
"Pinaniniwalaan po natin na ito pong si Kelly po ang may alam doon po sa mga pinagsalin-salin po na mga ransom using e-wallet until such time nga po na mai-transfer at ma-convert ito sa cryptocurrency," she said.
"Pinaniniwalaan po natin na ito pong si Kelly po ang may alam doon po sa mga pinagsalin-salin po na mga ransom using e-wallet until such time nga po na mai-transfer at ma-convert ito sa cryptocurrency," she said.
(We believe that Kelly has knowledge of how the ransom money was passed through different e-wallets and eventually converted into cryptocurrency.)
(We believe that Kelly has knowledge of how the ransom money was passed through different e-wallets and eventually converted into cryptocurrency.)
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $20 million, and the family eventually paid P200 million in cryptocurrency, in multiple tranches.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $20 million, and the family eventually paid P200 million in cryptocurrency, in multiple tranches.
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Aside from Kelly Tan, the PNP has earlier named 4 other suspects in the crime, including David Tan Liao, Richardo Austria, Reymart Catequista, and Jonin Lin.
Aside from Kelly Tan, the PNP has earlier named 4 other suspects in the crime, including David Tan Liao, Richardo Austria, Reymart Catequista, and Jonin Lin.
The PNP confirmed that Que personally knew Tan Liao, one of the alleged masterminds.
The PNP confirmed that Que personally knew Tan Liao, one of the alleged masterminds.
TAN AS BAIT
Tan is believed to have acted as the bait that lured Que to the location where he was kidnapped on March 29. She also reportedly used Que’s cellphone to contact his family and negotiate the ransom demands.
Tan is believed to have acted as the bait that lured Que to the location where he was kidnapped on March 29. She also reportedly used Que’s cellphone to contact his family and negotiate the ransom demands.
Before Tan’s arrest, two Filipino accomplices had already been apprehended in Palawan on April 18. This was followed by the voluntary surrender of David Tan Liao, another key suspect, who admitted to his involvement in the crime.
Before Tan’s arrest, two Filipino accomplices had already been apprehended in Palawan on April 18. This was followed by the voluntary surrender of David Tan Liao, another key suspect, who admitted to his involvement in the crime.
Only one more suspect remains at large.
Only one more suspect remains at large.
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Authorities believe that the ransom money was funneled through digital wallets before being converted into cryptocurrency—making recovery efforts more complex but ongoing.
Authorities believe that the ransom money was funneled through digital wallets before being converted into cryptocurrency—making recovery efforts more complex but ongoing.
THREE OTHER SUSPECTS EARLIER ARRESTED
In April, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group filed charges against three other suspects in the crime.
In April, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group filed charges against three other suspects in the crime.
A follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of the two Filipino suspects in Barangay IV in Roxas, Palawan, on April 18.
A follow-up operation resulted in the arrest of the two Filipino suspects in Barangay IV in Roxas, Palawan, on April 18.
The third suspect, who is a Chinese national, surrendered to authorities in the same month.
The third suspect, who is a Chinese national, surrendered to authorities in the same month.
Initial investigation revealed that the Chinese suspect was previously arrested for kidnapping in Angeles City last November 2009.
Initial investigation revealed that the Chinese suspect was previously arrested for kidnapping in Angeles City last November 2009.
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He is also linked to five other kidnapping cases in other areas in Metro Manila in 2022 and 2024.
He is also linked to five other kidnapping cases in other areas in Metro Manila in 2022 and 2024.
The two Filipino suspects served as an assistant and a driver to the detained Chinese.
The two Filipino suspects served as an assistant and a driver to the detained Chinese.
Steel magnate Que and his driver were first reported missing on March 29.
Steel magnate Que and his driver were first reported missing on March 29.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $20 million, and the family eventually paid P200 million in cryptocurrency, in multiple tranches.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $20 million, and the family eventually paid P200 million in cryptocurrency, in multiple tranches.
The businessman and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, on April 9.
The businessman and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, on April 9.
—with a report from Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News
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