By Benjamin Pulta
MANILA – Suspects in the kidnapping and murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, were presented for preliminary investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) before the Department of Justice in Manila on Monday.
The PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), in a letter to Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Herbert Abugan and Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon, earlier transmitted the records of the case for kidnapping for ransom with homicide against the suspects.
Recommended for inquest proceedings were arrested suspects Richardo Austria David (a.k.a. Richard Tan Garcia), Reymart Cateqiusta and David Tan Liao.
David and Garcia were arrested on April 18 and admitted that they strangled Que and Pabillo.
Liao, a Chinese national, surrendered on April 19 and admitted participation in the crime.
Also presented during the preliminary investigation were Chinese nationals Haohua Yang and Fangquiang Yuan.
Four individuals who remain at-large, Rongxian Gou, Jin Yuan Ye and two individuals who go by the aliases Jonin Lin and Kelly, were also recommended for inquest.
The suspects are yet to submit their counter-affidavit. The next hearing will be on May 8.
Que and Pabillo went missing on March 29 after leaving the former’s office in Valenzuela City. The following day, Que’s family received a ransom demand of USD20 million through a phone chat application.
Their bodies were found by a roadside in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 9. (PNA)
