PNP investigates POGO link in Que kidnapping, murder

The Philippine National Police is investigating whether the kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo are connected to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), with reports suggesting a possible involvement of a 'muscle' group of Chinese nationals.

Que was last seen on March 29 when he left his office in Valenzuela, and his family filed a report with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group the next day; their bodies were discovered in Rodriguez, Rizal, on Thursday.

The victims showed signs of physical abuse and strangulation despite paying a ransom of P100 million, which is unusual for typical kidnapping cases.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said during a meeting with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation that there were reports alleging that POGO bosses were demanding a refund from Que, leading to an investigation into all possible motives behind the murder.

The DOJ will create a task force composed by the PNP and NBI to address this issue, along with a hotline for reporting kidnappings and a special court to handle such cases.