JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has hinted at a dramatic and possibly explosive revelation in the ongoing probe into the abduction and murder of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que — suggesting that the identity of the mastermind may rattle the public once revealed.

"It might pull off a surprise. Maybe it will be shocking," Remulla said in an interview on Tuesday when asked if the motive or identity of the mastermind might shock the public.

Remulla said authorities have identified the direct perpetrators, but warned that a deeper twist may emerge as they close in on the mastermind and the motive.

He refused to elaborate, saying the public should await the full findings of the investigation.

"We're still working on the mastermind and the motive. That's what we're trying to determine right now," Remulla said. "Give us around 20 to 25 days. We'll be done."

The update comes a day after the three arrested suspects — Filipinos Richard Austria and Reymart Catequista, and Chinese Chince David Tan Liao — appeared before the Department of Justice on April 28 for the preliminary investigation into charges of kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

The three were taken into custody last week by the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), following a raid in Roxas, Palawan, and a voluntary surrender.

According to PNP-AKG, they are part of a larger group of nine suspects involved in the brutal killing of Que and his driver.

Six others, including four identified Chinese and a Filipino-Chinese woman named Roxian Guo, remain at large.

Que's family lawyer, Arlene Tagaban, confirmed during the hearing that all three detained suspects requested time to submit counter-affidavits, which are expected on May 8.

She noted that one of the suspects has implicated another Chinese — not yet publicly named.

"We want the truth — either way," Tagaban told reporters in an interview. "If that person had no involvement, they should be cleared. But if there's reason to believe otherwise, they must be investigated thoroughly."

She added that the implicated person was a "pure Chinese," but she declined to mention a name, citing the ongoing probe and the sensitivity of the claim.

The panel of prosecutors has been urged to examine this allegation closely.

While Tagaban expressed confidence in the strength of the evidence so far submitted by the PNP-AKG, she emphasized that determining the real mastermind — and their motive — remains the key to securing justice.

"Are the five current respondents the real suspects? For the three from the inquest, yes," Tagaban said. "As for the others, we're still waiting for the next hearing to learn more."

Authorities are working against the clock, with Remulla promising the picture will be clearer within the month.

"There are elements here that, once revealed, may alter public perception of the case entirely," said a senior official at the DOJ, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak on record. "We're looking at a mix of financial, possibly transnational motivations. This isn't just about money — it may involve betrayal and layers of deception."

The next hearing on May 8 is expected to reveal more details, including the counter-affidavits of the arrested suspects and any motions filed by the PNP-AKG.

Until then, the Que family — well as the rest of the nation — awaits answers.

"We just want the truth," Tagaban reiterated. "Whoever is responsible — whoever gave the orders — must be held accountable."

Que, the owner of Elison Steel Corp., and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, disappeared on March 29 after leaving his office in Valenzuela City.

The following day, a ransom demand — $20 million — was sent to his family via WeChat. Despite reportedly paying P100 million in multiple ransom drops, the family never saw Que or Pabillo alive again.

Their bodies were discovered stuffed in a nylon bag and dumped along a remote roadside in Sitio Odiongan in Rodriguez, Rizal, on April 9. Both victims had their faces wrapped in duct tape.

Investigators soon unearthed a paper trail of surveillance footage and forensic evidence, including the purchase of wet wipes and plastic bags used to wipe down evidence that linked the suspects to the crime scene.

A breakthrough came on April 16 when police raided a residence in Barangay Langka, Meycauayan, Bulacan, under a court-issued warrant. There, they recovered blood traces and forensic evidence linking the property to the victims. Investigators believe this was where the executions took place.