MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has refuted claims of widespread kidnapping circulating on social media.
PNP chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized that the prompt resolution of the kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, highlights the effectiveness of law enforcement in tackling serious crimes.
“These reports are completely untrue and have no factual basis,” Marbil said in a statement, as he warned of consequences for those spreading “malicious disinformation.”
“The case was not an isolated act of kidnap-for-ransom but a calculated operation orchestrated by Chinese national David Tan Liao, who is now in the custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group after voluntarily surrendering,” he added.
Marbil further noted that Liao was the head of a rogue kidnap-for-hire organization that functioned similarly to a “criminal collection agency,” targeting individuals with unpaid debts and personal conflicts.
He mentioned that this group is also linked to five other significant kidnapping cases that have now been resolved.
“With six major cases now resolved, our focus is on the financiers — the real power behind these blood-for-hire operations,” Marbil said.
He also urged the public to be cautious about believing online information and reiterated that reports of other high-profile abductions are unfounded.
Additionally, Marbil indicated that the PNP is actively monitoring the dissemination of false narratives and is taking measures to identify and hold accountable those responsible./PN
