Businessman Anson Que, owner of Elison Steel, and his driver were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, on Wednesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed Thursday.  

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the deaths, saying the bodies were discovered early Wednesday morning by a concerned citizen in Sitio Udiongan, Barangay Macabud.

Que — also known as Congyuan Guo or Anson Tan — and his driver were found bound with nylon ropes inside a nylon bag, with their faces covered in duct tape and their heads bloodied. They were both found wearing only underwear.  

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Que and his driver were last seen alive on 29 March around 2 p.m. after leaving Valenzuela City for a meeting.

The family reported them missing the following day to the PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).  

Fajardo said the victims’ vehicle was found by the PNP’s Highway Patrol Group in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Authorities are investigating the motive behind the killings, noting that the perpetrators had apparently asked for ransom despite killing the victims.

Fajardo declined to confirm if ransom money was paid.

Que’s abduction and death have raised suspicions of a kidnapping gone wrong, given his prominent business background. Elison Steel manufactures and distributes steel products for construction.

As of Thursday, no arrests had been made.

Meanwhile, PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil sacked the chief of the AKG, Police Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay, due to dissatisfaction with his performance in the case, Fajardo said.

Ragay has been replaced by Police Col. David Poklay, former deputy director for operations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).  

Fajardo said a special investigation task group led by PNP Chief of the Directorial Staff, Police Lt. Gen. Edgar Allan Okubo, with the CIDG leading the investigation, has been formed to resolve the case.

Ragay had previously been administratively relieved in February over issues related to a kidnapped Chinese minor but was later reinstated.