The family of businessman Anson Que meet with police' task force head Lt. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo amid the ongoing investigation to identify all those involved in the kidnap-slay case.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be asking the Department of Justice (DOJ) to remove the name of the son of businessman Anson Que in the list of the respondents in connection with the kidnap-slay case it filed recently.

Lawyer Kit Belmonte, legal counsel of Alvin Que, said they also explained to them that the basis of the inclusion of the name of his client is the assertion of David Tan Liao, one of the key players in the kidnap-slay who surrendered after two of the suspects were arrested in Palawan.

“The PNP communicated to us that, aside from the bare assertion of David Tan Liao, no other evidence can be adduced against Alvin, thus they are submitting a Motion to the DOJ to amend the complaint requesting the removal of Alvin’s name from the list of respondents,” said Belmonte in a statement sent to reporters.

“We thank the Philippine National Police under the leadership of Chief PNP Gen. Rommel Marbil for the swift clarification on the erroneous reports regarding Mr. Alvin Que,” he added.

Early this week, reports circulated about the alleged involvement of Alvin to the kidnapping and killing of his father and driver Armanie Pabillo who were last seen in Valenzuela City on March 29 and whose cadavers were later recovered in Rizal.

Que was killed despite investigation results stating that his family paid P200 million that were sent to casino junket operators and later converted into cryptocurrency.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Wednesday, April 28, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said there are no corroborative pieces of evidence to support the claim of Liao that Que’s son was involved.

“We have to make it clear that we do not believe in all the statements given by David Tan Liao. The primary reason why he (Que’s son) was impleaded as one of the respondents is because of the assertion of David Tan Liao in his extrajudicial confession when he surrendered before the AKG (Anti-Kidnapping Group),” said Fajardo.

“That is why the AKG, particularly the SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) is being cautious in accepting hook, line and sinker the revelation, at least the allegation of David Tan Liao, because we want to make sure that his should be backed up by other pieces of evidence,” she added.

Media reports based on the leaked affidavit of Liao were criticized by the the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order who cautioned the PNP about believing the statement of what it described as a “notorious criminal” as a sole source of evidence.

In the statement, the MRPO warned the AKG investigators about believing the statement of Liao.

The PNP, for its part, said it understands the concerns raised by the MRPO.

“We cannot discount the possibility that David Tan Liao is misleading the investigation to cover up for someone. We cannot set that aside,” said Fajardo.

Belmonte, for his part, said they were shocked about the report linking Que’s son to the kidnap-slay case, as he stressed that the family has been cooperating with the police investigators, particularly the probe teams headed by Police Lt Gen Edgar Alan Okubo and CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III,

‘The family has been in constant communication with the Task Force, offering whatever information is in their possession to help bring their father’s murderers to justice,” said Belmonte.