AMLC help sought on P200-M cryptocurrency paid in Que kidnapping

Police investigators are now coordinating with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other government agencies to conduct an extensive money trail involving around P200 million worth of cryptocurrency that was sent in multiple tranches in relation to the kidnapping of businessman Anson Que.

- By AARON RECUENCO and MARTIN SADONGDONG

This developed as Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed that they are still looking for at least two more Chinese who are believed to have played a key role in the abduction of Que on March 29.

Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found dead in Rizal on April 9, which prompted investigators to believe that the intention was not really kidnapping but to kill the businessman.

"The initial demand is $20 million but the involved here is more or less P200 million in cryptocurrency sent in multiple tranches," said Fajardo.

"This is now the challenge. We need other relevant other government agencies including the AMLC to follow the money trail and considering that this is cryptocurrency, it's beyond the reach of the PNP alone," she added.

Fajardo said the money trail is essential in identifying the other key players in the Que kidnapping.

On Saturday, April 19, police announced the arrest of two people-Richardo Austria David and Raymart Catequista and the surrender of David Tan Liao who was allegedly forced to yield over threats from the people who tasked him to kidnap Que.

Kidnap-for-hire

The kidnap-slay of Que was not a random act of kidnap-for-ransom but a calculated kidnap-for-hire operation, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said on Sunday, April 20.

Two people were arrested and their boss, identified as Chinese David Tan Liao, surrendered in the intensified efforts to solve the kidnap-slay of Que and his driver.

Marbil said Tan Liao hired a local group to kidnap Que, with police investigators saying that part of the intention from the very start was to kill him.