Business groups demand swift justice for Anson Que

DOJ: Inter-agency task force to address kidnapping cases

- DEXTER BARRO II, JEFFREY DAMICOG, and MARTIN SADONGDONG

Top business groups have condemned the kidnapping and murder of Filipino-Chinese tycoon Anson Que and his driver, and demanded swift justice and reforms to strengthen law enforcement.

In a joint statement, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) said the killing of Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, is an "attack on the Philippines' peace and order." Also signatories to the statement are 30 prominent Filipino-Chinese business groups.

Let the wheels of justice turn with ferocious speed

"With outrage and grief, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the heinous, barbaric kidnapping and brutal murders of Mr. Anson Que a visionary businessman, a pillar of philanthropy and his driver, whose life was equally precious, equally sacred," the groups said. "We demand action swift, unrelenting, and transparent to bring every perpetrator, conspirator, and enabler of this evil to account. Let the wheels of justice turn with ferocious speed, and let their verdicts echo as a warning to those who would dare repeat such infamy."

The business groups are urging the government to oversee sweeping reforms to eradicate the culture of impunity.

"We call for an unyielding reinforcement of the rule of law-not through rhetoric, but through resolute, systemic reform. Strengthen our law enforcement agencies with resources, training, and accountability," they said.

The groups stressed that the kidnapping and murder are "not merely crimes" as they are a "declaration of war against the principles of justice, decency, and peace that bind us as a society." They said this brutal incident was not an isolated incident.

Instead, they underscored that these are "symptoms of a festering rot" that threatens the very foundation of society.