PNP, NBI forms task force vs kidnapping

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will form a task force to respond and look into kidnap-for-ransom cases following the killing of Chinese businessman Anson Que.

In a joint press conference of the PNP, NBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ), amid concerns raised by the Chinese community, Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that they are on top of the situation.

“The creation of a task force is paramount. We have to choose people who will at least exemplify the values that we hold here to the PNP and to the NBI and to the DOJ,” he said.

“Ang aim nito is to have high visibility leadership that people can talk to pag may problema, kasi ang problema when these things happen, a lot of them don’t trust. Marami hong doubt about law enforcement and government ang maraming tao. They'd rather do it themselves,” Remulla added.

On Wednesday, April 9, the bodies of Que, also known as Anson Tan or Congyuan Guo, and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found in a grassy portion of a roadside in Sitio Udiongan, Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Their bodies were placed inside nylon bags tied with nylon ropes, their heads were wrapped with duct tape, and their hands were tied behind their backs.

Que and Pabillo were last seen alive on the afternoon of March 29 when they left Valenzuela for a meeting.

The families reported his disappearance to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group on March 30.

On Tuesday, April 8, the victim’s vehicle was found in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City. According to witnesses, the vehicle was abandoned by two individuals.

Que’s family reportedly paid millions worth of ransom money to the abductors.

PNP chief General Marbil said they already have a lead on the incident.

“It’s a different kind of kidnapping… hindi lang ito kidnapping, it's more than that. We just came up with an investigation after this. We want to clarify how it was done. But we have already ‘yung mga leads that will entail us,” Marbil said.

“May malaki kasing twist, so hanggang doon lang po muna ako,” he added.

Que’s abduction and murder came over a month following the kidnapping of a 14-year-old Chinese student in Taguig City.

The minor victim was released by his captors, but the police maintained that there was no ransom paid for his freedom.

Following these incidents, Marbil ordered the relief of AKG director Brigadier General Elmer Ragay.

Ragay was initially relieved following the student’s kidnapping, but he was reinstated days later. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)