Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed the Philippine National Police (PNP) has formally amended its complaint in the high-profile murder case of businessman Anson Que, removing his son, Alvin Que, from the list of respondents due to insufficient evidence.
The Department of Justice chief disclosed Friday the PNP had "acknowledged the error and extended apologies" after failing to substantiate allegations linking Alvin to the kidnapping and murder of his father.
He said the PNP has done their apologies and owned up to the oversight. “We cannot let accusations, especially in high-profile cases, be based on mere speculation," Remulla said. "When the evidence does not support an allegation, it is our duty to rectify it—no matter how prominent the names involved."
The PNP admitted that aside from the "uncorroborated accusation" by primary suspect David Tan Liao, no credible proof tied Alvin to the crime.
Remulla emphasized that they follow rules, adding, "An accusation is not proof. The PNP’s willingness to correct its filing shows professionalism, but it also underscores the need for thoroughness from the start."
Liao’s claim was found baseless by investigators, prompting the motion to exclude Alvin from the charges.
Liao, along with two Filipino accomplices—Richard Austria and Reymart Catequista—faced a preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 28 for kidnapping for ransom with homicide. The trio, arrested by the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), allegedly belongs to a nine-member syndicate involved in Que’s abduction and killing. Six others—including four Chinese nationals and Filipino-Chinese Roxian Guo—remain at large.
The suspects, during the hearing, requested additional time to submit counter-affidavits, now due by May 8.
Lawyer Arlene Tagaban, Que’s family counsel, revealed that one detainee implicated another unnamed "pure Chinese" individual, though she declined further details, citing the ongoing probe.
She urged prosecutors to scrutinize the new lead while expressing confidence in the PNP-AKG’s evidence. However, she stressed that identifying the mastermind and motive remains critical to achieving justice.
The victim (Que), owner of Elison Steel Corporation, and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, went missing on March 29 after leaving Que’s Valenzuela office—contrary to earlier reports of a Pasay abduction.
Based on CCTV and phone data, they were en route to a Parañaque meeting before disappearing.
Reports showed that a $20 million ransom demand (later negotiated to ₱100 million) was sent via WeChat; however, the victims were never released, and their bodies—bound in duct tape and stuffed in nylon bags—were discovered on April 9 in Rodriguez, Rizal.
On 16 April, authorities raided a Bulacan safehouse where they recovered forensic matches, including blood traces and materials used to clean evidence (wet wipes, plastic bags), confirming it as the likely execution site.
On 8 May, another hearing will be held where the counter-affidavits of the suspects will be presented, along with possible new motions from the PNP-AKG as the investigation intensifies.