A legal battle intensifies as the widow of slain businessman Anson Que pushes for clarity in the investigation involving her stepson Alvin Que, once named in the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) complaint linked to the kidnapping and murder of Anson and his driver.
Atty. Melita D. Go, representing Elizabeth Go Siong Tan and the Que family, demands that Alvin Que respond formally to the allegations through a counter-affidavit and submit supporting evidence. This call comes after the PNP unexpectedly dropped Alvin’s name from their list of respondents, citing insufficient proof to hold him accountable.
“The right to be heard must be honored for all respondents, including Alvin Que,” explained Go. She emphasized this transparent step would avoid any impression of bias or incomplete investigation, ensuring justice is served without suppression of truth.
Go insists the PNP cannot simply erase a suspect’s name from records without due process—an official response must precede any withdrawal of charges. Yet, she clarifies her clients do not accuse Alvin of wrongdoing. Instead, concerns arose only when David Tan Liao, in an extrajudicial confession, implicated Alvin—a claim the family finds hard to believe given Alvin’s close ties as Anson’s non-marital son and Elizabeth’s stepson.
Alvin was originally flagged by the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group among six individuals recommended for preliminary investigation. This move followed Liao’s allegation that Alvin ordered the kidnapping and subsequent killing of his father.
In a virtual family meeting on April 18, police laid out troubling details that made Alvin a person of interest:
– Alvin and his wife ceased communication with PNP since early April and allegedly provided a false phone number for Anson, hampering call tracing.
– The ransom money passed through Alvin’s brother-in-law’s account. Meanwhile, Alvin’s sister and Anson’s non-marital child abruptly left for China days after the crime.
– Despite Anson’s death being known, ransom deposits continued days after he was found lifeless at a funeral home.
– No reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) have surfaced regarding the ransom’s money trail, leaving the family uninformed of investigation progress.
On Thursday, the PNP officially cleared Alvin’s name. Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo revealed that as early as Monday, the Anti-Kidnapping Group lawyers intended to amend the complaint, citing lack of corroborating evidence linking Alvin to the kidnapping and murder.
This development sparked backlash from the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO). The group questioned why an alleged criminal’s testimony alone placed Alvin under suspicion. MRPO challenged authorities to provide tangible evidence or other witnesses to back Liao’s claims, condemning reliance on a single dubious source.
In response, Go urged MRPO’s founding chairperson Teresita Ang See to exercise caution, warning that premature statements could disrupt an impartial and thorough investigation—a process guaranteed by due process under the law.
The tragedy unfolded on April 10 when the bodies of Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo were discovered stuffed in nylon bags along a roadside in Rodriguez, Rizal. Authorities have named five suspects so far, including those in custody—David Tan Liao, Richardo Austria, Reymart Catequista—and others still at large like Jonin Lin and Kelly Tan Lim, the alleged orchestrator who lured Anson to captivity.
A reward of P5 million awaits anyone who helps capture Kelly, accused of coordinating the abduction and ransom. Investigators have also questioned two other Chinese individuals in Boracay for possible links.
According to the PNP, the ransom, totaling P200 million, was funneled in installments through casino junket operators before conversion into cryptocurrency. More than five persons handled the funds, with at least two already detained.
As this high-stakes saga unfolds, the Que family’s plea for justice and truth echoes loudly—demanding not only closure but a transparent, unrelenting search for the real culprits behind a crime that shocked the nation.