FORMER Senator and Philippine National Police Chief and now 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday lauded the PNP for solving the kidnap-slay of Chinese Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo.

But Lacson, who solved several kidnapping cases during his career as a law enforcer, also reminded the PNP that the next step now is to ensure the conviction of the perpetrators.

“Just as we criticized the PNP for the kidnap-slay of Anson Que and Armanie Pabillo, we must now give them credit for the arrest of 3 out of at least 5 suspects. Equally important is the conviction of ALL the perpetrators by building an airtight case,” Lacson said in a post on his X account Sunday.

On Saturday, the PNP disclosed that three of the suspects are now in custody, with Richardo David and Raymart Catequista being arrested in Palawan on Friday evening and David Tan Liao having surrendered Saturday afternoon.

PNP spokesperson P/Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo was quoted in reports as saying Liao was scared that he may also be killed. The PNP said Liao may have links to at least five other recent kidnapping cases, including one dating back to November 2022 in Muntinlupa City.

The PNP is now tracking down at least two more Chinese linked to the kidnap-slay of Que and Pabillo.

Earlier, Lacson reminded the PNP, which won public trust when he headed it from 1999 to 2001, that the only way to mollify the Chinese Filipino community and the public amid the spate of kidnapping incidents is to solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“What is needed is a positive resolution of KFR cases. That is the important thing,” he said at the time.

He also stressed the cooperation of the public is important as well to solve the case. “Without that, the victims will be at the mercy of the kidnappers,” he said.

Lacson encouraged families of kidnap victims to coordinate with non-government organizations like the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order founded by Teresita Ang-See. The MRPO’s members are kidnap victims or their relatives, and may help the victims deal with their situation.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco