The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now on the hunt for the mastermind behind the kidnap‑for‑ransom slay case of businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo.

"The individual behind the operation will be identified and formally charged within the week," PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil said, as he commended the PNP Anti‑Kidnapping Group (AKG) for "the swift resolution" of the case.

This statement came after three suspects involved in abducting Que and his driver were arrested and placed under police custody.

On Saturday, 19 April, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo announced that suspects Ricardo Austria David and Raymart Catequista were arrested in Palawan on 18 April, while another suspect, David Tan Liao, surrendered later that day.

Fajardo said Liao, a Chinese citizen also known as “Xiao Chang Jiang,” “Yang,” “Jianmin,” and “Michael Agad Yung,” orchestrated Que's abduction on the possible order of another Chinese national acting as the mastermind.

According to Fajardo, Ricardo Austria David, alias “Richard Tan Garcia,” who served as Liao’s driver, and Raymart Catequista, alias “Taba,” carried out the killing of Que and Pabillo.

Fajardo said David and Catequista were arrested in Roxas, Palawan, on Good Friday, while Liao surrendered on Black Saturday and “confessed to his participation” in the kidnap‑for‑ransom case.

Que’s killing, the PNP spokeswoman noted, had been “planned [for] months in advance starting as early as January this year.”

“Based on our investigation, the intention really is to kill,” Fajardo said.

Marbil, on the other hand, said “this was not a random kidnapping.”

“It was a planned, contractual execution. Liao’s operation worked like a shadowy collection agency — but paid in blood,” Marbil added.

He noted that the investigation has also helped resolve five other major kidnap‑for‑hire cases linked to the same network, and the focus now shifts to identifying the financial backers behind the scheme.

"Unlike traditional kidnap-for-ransom syndicates, David Tan Liao personally directed a rogue kidnap-for-hire operation — a shadowy and transactional criminal enterprise where he recruited and paid local henchmen to carry out abductions and executions. These were not random acts but deliberate, contract-based crimes targeting individuals embroiled in disputes over unpaid debts, betrayals, or internal conflicts," Marbil said.

“In effect, Liao’s criminal scheme operated like a rogue collection agency — except they collected through blood,” Marbil added. he added.

According to Marbil, the PNP’s case buildup, pursuit operations, and intelligence coordination were key to dismantling Liao’s network and also helped solve five other major kidnap‑for‑hire cases linked to the same group.

“With six major cases now resolved, our focus is on the financiers — the real power behind these blood-for-hire operations,” he said.

The other Chinese national, according to Fajardo, remains at large and was present when Que and Pabillo were detained at a house in Meycauan. The victims were found dead on 10 April in Rodriguez, Rizal — 11 days after they were last seen leaving Que’s office in Valenzuela City.

“Case solved. Justice served. This was not a random act of kidnap-for-ransom, but a calculated kidnap-for-hire operation,” Marbil said.

The PNP chief stressed that "there is no widespread or random kidnapping spree in the country."

“These are isolated, calculated acts rooted in personal and financial vendettas. The situation is firmly under control. Our law‐enforcement strategies are effective,” he said.

FFCCCII commendation

Meanwhile, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) acknowledged with appreciation the efforts of the PNP in the recent arrests.

"As well as the immediate dialogue meetings of law enforcement officials with the FFCCCII right after these crimes. This operation and the dialogue meetings are important in upholding public safety and the rule of law," FFCCCII President Victor Lim said.

Lim lauded the collaborative resolve of law‑enforcement agencies, noting his recent dialogue with PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil to strengthen public‑private cooperation in combating criminality. Similar constructive discussions were held with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago, and Bureau of Immigration Deputy Commissioner Daniel Laogan, emphasizing systemic vigilance and inter‑agency coordination to dismantle criminal networks.

"While the arrests mark progress, the FFCCCII urges authorities to pursue the remaining suspects, including purported masterminds and accomplices, with equal rigor. The Federation also stresses the necessity of a thorough investigation to uncover the full scope of this case and other similar incidents, ensuring accountability and deterring future threats to civil order," Lim said.