MANILA — The Department of Justice is looking into alleged Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) links behind the kidnapping and killing of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver. 

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said this was brought up during his meeting with the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation on Friday.

There were reports alleging that POGO bosses were demanding a refund from Que. Remulla said they are looking into all possible motives behind the murder.

Que and his driver were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal, the Philippine National Police said Thursday, two weeks after the victims went missing.

Palace: Gov't will not 'sleep on' kidnapping, killing of businessman Anson Que

“That is also at the range of our conversation earlier, but we cannot release everything that we talked about, it’s not executive privilege it’s just these are operational secrets, we cannot divulge right now,” said Remulla.

“It’s a different kind of kidnapping, hindi lang ito kidnapping as we see it. It’s more than that,” said PNP Chief P/Gen. Rommel Marbil.
“Sabi ko nga, may malaki kasing twist eh, so hanggang doon lang po, after we finished the investigation and filing of cases doon lamang po kami magsasalita what really transpired during the whole process of negotiation and sa kidnapping po."

“We have theories and we have suspects, yung theory siyempre why the crime is committed by whom. Yung dalawang tanong na iyan, we are working on it already,” Remulla said.
“We know what happened, we know what’s happening but we need the help of the community para maka-act kami accordingly sa mga problemang darating."

The DOJ said they will create a task force that will be composed by the PNP and NBI.


“Ang aim nito is to have a higher visibility leadership that people can talk to pag mayroong problema. Kasi ang problema when this things happen, a lot of them don’t trust marami hong doubt about law enforcement and government ang maraming tao, they rather do it themselves,” said Remulla.


“With this TF that will be crated by our secretary, napakaganda na iyan. Makakapagtulungan kami, di na ako mahihiyang magtanong kay PNP Chief, di na rin siya mahihiyang magtanong sa akin,” said NBI Director Jaime Santiago.

Santiago also said there is no need for the Chinese and business community be afraid.


“Don’t be alarmed, nasa taas pa rin kami ng situation, with our Secretary of Justice, huwag po kayong mag-alala sa mga kababayan natin sa Chinese community huwag po kayong mag-alala, gagawa po kami ng aksyon,” Santiago said.

Dr. Cecilio Pedro, who represents the business community, said they are confident with law enforcement.


“We are confident that this issue be addressed very soon, sooner than soon, kasi natatakot yung business community dahil po sa kidnapping na ito. Kasi this is very unique eh, di lang kidnapping eh, binayaran na pinatay pa,” said Pedro.

The DOJ said a hotline will be created to receive matters regarding kidnappings and will be activated next week.

The DOJ also held a meeting with the Chinese and business community regarding kidnappings.

“There were some unreported incidents, many families chose not to cooperate with law enforcement, and we only found out kapag tapos na,” said Remulla.
“In the very end pag hindi tayo nag-cooperate, di natin mahuhuli yung gagawa, ipapain lang tayo lang tayo lahat sa kanilang gawain, kailangan talaga cooperation ng community at enforcement."

Remulla said a special court will also be created to handle kidnapping cases.

“Special courts to be drawn up just to hear cases of this nature kasi urgent concern ito sa ating bansa, it is a national secuity issue and economic issue and as issue as well being of Filipinos,” he said.