Joint task force to probe Que kidnap-slay incident

IN response to the kidnapping and murder of a prominent Chinese businessman that has sparked shock and outrage, top Philippine law enforcement officials announced the creation of a specialized task force to hunt down the perpetrators.

In a joint press conference of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the formation of the task force "is paramount. We have to choose people who will at least exemplify the values that we hold here to the PNP and to the NBI, and to the DOJ."

Last Wednesday, the bodies of Chinese businessman Anson Que, also known as Anson Tan or Congyuan Guo, and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found on a roadside in Sitio Odiongan, Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal.

The bodies were stuffed into a nylon sack. Their heads were wrapped with duct tape, and their hands tied behind their backs.

Que and Pabillo were last seen alive on the afternoon of March 29, when they left Valenzuela City for a meeting.

The following day, Que's family reported his disappearance to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.

On Tuesday, April 8, the victim's vehicle was found in Barangay Bahay Toro in Quezon City. According to witnesses, the vehicle was abandoned by two individuals.

During a meeting with the Philippine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Remulla revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an aggressive crackdown. "This is not just kidnapping — it's something worse," said PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, hinting there might be a deeper motive for killing Que other than the failure to pay the ransom.

Kidnapping cases are usually handled by the PNP's Anti-Kidnapping Group, but NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the Que case will require an unprecedented interagency collaboration.

"In intelligence work, we operate on a 'need-to-know' basis," Santiago said. "But this task force will break down walls — we'll share everything to stop these criminals."

Representatives from the Filipino-Chinese business sector were appalled by the crime's brazenness. "This isn't just about ransom — it's torture and murder," said one leader. "If even those who pay don't survive, no one feels safe."

Photos of the victim's injuries have circulated privately, intensifying calls for action.

Remulla said the government needs the community's help in solving the Que case.

"These criminals thrive when people stay silent," he said.