Kidnapped, slain trader had no Pogo ties, says family

A barangay employee points to the site in Sitio Odiongan, Barangay Macabud in Rodriguez, Rizal, where the bodies of Chinese-Filipino businessman Anson Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo were found on Wednesday. They were placed inside nylon bags. The two men were last seen on March 29 after leaving their office in Valenzuela City. (INQUIRER / LYN RILLON)

MANILA, Philippines — The family of slain Filipino-Chinese businessman Anson Que denied that he was involved with Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

Que and his driver were confirmed dead by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, after they were reported missing on March 29.  Their bodies were recovered in Rodriguez, Rizal on April 2.

“The family of the late Anson Tan disputes allegations that their father was involved in POGO transactions. They have no rental property in Bulacan to speak of,” the family said in a statement on Saturday through their legal counsel, Kit Belmonte.

Que’s legal name is Anson Tan.

“Mr. Tan has been engaged in legitimate business for decades and is a stalwart member of the Filipino-Chinese business community and is known for his charitable work. During his lifetime, he stayed away from shady dealings and only did business with people he knew and trusted,” the family added.

On Friday, the PNP said it was looking into the possibility that the group suspected to be behind Que’s kidnap-slay was a collector of debts related to Pogos.

The PNP, however, said it had yet to find a connection between Pogos and Que himself.

READ: Group eyed in Que kidnap-slay may be Pogo debt collectors — PNPT

The victim’s family appealed to the public to beware of misleading information and pledged continued support for the PNP investigation.