MANILA  – The murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver has raised fears among Filipino business leaders as they aired their growing frustration over the government’s alleged failure to act on what they said was a resurgence of kidnappings and other crimes in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Without clear assurance from authorities, investors are fleeing the country and tourism has been adversely affected, according to big groups of businessmen who called for immediate action to stop kidnappings and other crimes.

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3 suspects fall

Three suspects in the killing of Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que (also known as Anson Tan) and his driver, Armanie Pabillo, are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police and have been charged with kidnapping for ransom with double murder, police officials reported on Saturday, April 19.

PNP Spokesperson and Police Regional Office III Director Brigadier General Jean Fajardo identified the suspects as Ricardo Austria David and Raymart Catequista, who were arrested in Palawan; and David Tan Liao, a Chinese national linked previously to other kidnapping cases. All three are under the custody of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

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In a public statement, the groups appealed for “better peace and order in the Philippines.” They described the high-profile crime as “an attack on the stability of our society and our ideals as a democracy.”

In a strongly worded statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation (PhilExport) called out the government’s “empty platitudes” and its “bureaucratic inertia,” demanding that justice be served without delay.

“These aren’t just random acts of violence; these are signs of a much deeper problem,” the business groups said, citing rising lawlessness in the country. “No more excuses. No more talking in circles. We need swift and relentless justice, not more waiting around.”

The organizations called for immediate and decisive action to bring all perpetrators to justice and to end the culture of impunity that emboldens such crimes. 

They also called for systemic reforms to strengthen law enforcement agencies and restore public trust in institutions.

“To the families of Anson Que and Armanie Pabillo: Your anguish is ours. We pledge to you—their memories will not be buried with them. We will honor them by fighting, unceasingly, for the justice they deserve,” the statement read.

The groups warned that unchecked criminality not only endangers lives but also undermines investor confidence, deters tourism, and destabilizes communities.

“This is not tragedy—it is atrocity,” they said. “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 leaders met with Philippine National Police chief and other law enforces and aired their appeal.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, led by Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, met with the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) members on Friday and vowed to swiftly address recent incidents of kidnapping targeting Chinese nationals.

“We understand the urgency and gravity of these cases. The PNP is fully committed to resolving them swiftly and restoring confidence in public safety,” Marbil told the business group.

The PNP and FFCCCII agreed to establish a collaborative program focused on proactive measures to detect potential threats, including enhancing coordination with local police units, strengthening surveillance efforts in key business hubs, and providing safety briefings to member companies and communities.

“We are mobilizing all investigative assets and leveraging every capability to ensure these incidents do not recur,” Marbil said.

The murders of Que, a well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist, and his driver came just days after another high-profile kidnapping and killing of a Chinese student.

Que and his driver was reportedly kidnapped by armed men in Quezon City and then their bodies were dumped in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal.

Initial investigation showed that Que was last seen on March 29 at a premium Chinese seafood restaurant, where he had arranged to meet with a group.

The victims’ bodies — bound and stuffed in industrial nylon bags — were found on a roadside in Rodriguez, Rizal, on April 9, days after Que and Pabillo were reported missing.

Security cameras also captured images of Que’s black van abandoned on Seminary Road, Quezon City, on March 29.

The businessman’s family reportedly paid ransom thrice, totaling nearly P100 million, but that didn’t stop his abductors from killing him.

Earlier, Que reported  deposited millions as advance rent for his buildings in Bulacan. When the lease deal collapsed, the group allegedly demanded a 50 percent refund, which the businessman allegedly refused.

He was reported missing shortly after the meeting. According to investigators, more than P100 million in ransom was paid by Que’s family but he and his driver were still found dead days later.