Que slay suspect linked to death of Alice Guo’s finance officer

MANILA, Philippines — One of the suspects in the killing of Filipino-Chinese steel businessman Anson Que and driver Armanie Pabillo was linked to the death of the alleged finance officer of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said David Tan Liao — one of the three suspects in the case — was reportedly involved in a 10-member “muscle group” allegedly used by Philippine offshore gaming operators’ (Pogo) personalities.

Liao is also known by his other names Xiao Chang Jiang, Yang, Jianmin, and Michael Agad Yung.

The two other Filipino suspects were identified as Richardo Austria David — also known as Richard Tan Garcia — and Raymart Catequista.

“Pogo-associated personalities use them to kidnap, entice, and force them to pay debt, sometimes for vendetta. Their objective is to revenge,” Fajardo said in Filipino in a press conference on Monday.

READ: PNP: Que kidnap-slay case ‘solved’; raps set

Based on the information presented by Fajardo, Liao and nine others posed as agents of the National Bureau of Investigation and allegedly kidnapped the victim in Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa in 2022.

Another case where Liao was also involved occurred in February 2024.

Fajardo said Liao was also linked to the death of Guo’s finance officer last August 31. The PNP official said Liao entered the victim’s villa in Pasay City and “covered her mouth, handcuffed her hands and feet, and wrapped her head with duct tape.”

“Suspects took cash money, pieces of jewelry, and mobile phones, and thereafter took the victim to an unknown location. Victim was forced to sign blank deeds of sale and a promissory note for P10 million along with 15 blank checks,” the report presented by Fajardo reads.

“The victim was reportedly sexually abused and raped by her captors,” it adds.

According to reports, Que — also known as Anson Tan — and Pabillo were last seen alive after leaving their office in Valenzuela City around 2 p.m. last March 29.

Based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, Que and Pabillo arrived at 345 Martha Street in Villacor Village along Barangay Langka in Meycauayan, Bulacan, on the same afternoon. They were restrained and held by the suspects at a house in the area, Fajardo said.

Last April 10, the PNP confirmed that Que and his driver were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal.

According to the autopsy report, the victims died due to “asphyxia by manual strangulation.” They were reportedly killed by David and Catequista per the directive of Liao, as stated in their statements.