On April 28, the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the Philippine National Police brought several suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder of Chinese businessman Guo Congyuan and his driver Babylu to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a preliminary investigation. This marks the first official disclosure of other suspects' names since the investigation began.
It is reported that the AKG has handed over relevant case materials to Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Yabugan and Prosecutor General Faduren, recommending the initiation of formal investigative procedures.
The three arrested suspects are: Richarddo Austria David (alias Richardde Chen Garcia), Remat Cartequista, and Chinese national David Chen Liao (commonly known as Yang Jianmin).
Richarddo Austria David and Remat Cartequista, who were arrested on April 18, confessed to strangling Guo Congyuan and his driver. Yang Jianmin surrendered to the police on April 19, admitting his involvement in the kidnapping and murder.
In addition, two Chinese nationals, Haohua Yang and Fangquiang Yuan, also attended the preliminary investigation that day.
Meanwhile, four fugitives have been added to the investigation list: Rongxian Gou, Jin Yuan Ye, Jonin Lin, and Kelly.
Currently, all suspects have not submitted any rebuttal statements, and the next hearing is scheduled for May 8.
Reviewing the case, Guo Congyuan and his driver Babylu disappeared on March 29 after leaving their office in Mirenruila City, and the next day their family received a ransom demand of up to 20 million US dollars. The bodies of the two were found on April 9 by the roadside in Loriquis City, Rizal Province.
During the preliminary investigation at the DOJ in Manila that day, the arrest of the two Chinese suspects, Haohua Yang and Fangquiang Yuan, sparked new controversy.
Chinese suspects secretly detained? Lawyer questions legality of detention
On April 28, lawyer Freidrick Lu questioned the legality of the secret detention of Haohua Yang and Fangquiang Yuan by the Philippine police during the investigation of the case.
Lu stated that the two were reported missing by their families in early April, who then sought help from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines. It was later discovered that they were detained by the AKG.
That day, Lu also attended the preliminary investigation hearing on the kidnapping and murder case held by the DOJ. He revealed that the two Chinese citizens were accused of receiving and transferring part of the ransom, but the police claimed the detention was on the grounds of "suspected violation of immigration regulations."
In an interview, Lu emphasized: "We will submit rebuttal testimony on May 8 and apply for a protection order, questioning the legality of their continued detention. If the charges are limited to immigration issues, why are they detained in the anti-kidnapping department?"
The Anti-Kidnapping Group, however, refused to comment on the detention issue, citing that "the case is still under investigation."
Lawyer applies to dismiss charges, questioning the reasonableness of detention
Lu further stated that he would apply to the DOJ National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS) to dismiss the criminal charges against Haohua Yang and Fangquiang Yuan. He emphasized that at the time of the incident, the two were at a casino resort and could not have been involved in the kidnapping and murder.
In an interview, Lu said: "My clients were engaged in currency exchange and room coordination at the Solaire Casino. They merely provided assistance when someone needed to exchange money or accommodation."
Lu also pointed out that the police currently refer to the two as "preliminary investigation suspects," yet they are detained on derived immigration issues. He questioned: "If they say they are detained because of the case, and then say they are detained because of immigration issues, this logic is like the chicken and the egg, contradictory."
Currently, the two are still controlled by the Anti-Kidnapping Group, and the case and detention issues will be further discussed at the hearing on May 8.
