Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel on Sunday called on the House Committee on Public Order and Safety to look into the Immigration records of three foreign nationals implicated in the kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que and his driver.
“We have reason to believe that many foreigners involved in criminal activities entered the country during the height of the ‘pastillas scam’ – and their immigration records may reveal serious irregularities,” Pimentel said.
The Philippine National Police said three Chinese nationals – David Tan Liao, Wenli Gong, and Jonin Lin – along with two Filipino accomplices, were suspects in the abduction and killing of Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.
Liao and the two Filipinos are currently in police custody, while Gong and Lin remained at large.
The PNP announced that a P10-million reward for information leading to the capture of Gong, 26, who supposedly lured Que to the Bulacan apartment where he and his driver were held and later killed.
“There is no doubt that the pastillas scam enabled the entry of numerous foreign nationals using fraudulent travel documents – some with clear criminal intent,” Pimentel said.
The “pastillas scam” was a major corruption scandal involving immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who allegedly accepted bribes – often disguised as rolled-up “pastillas de leche” candies – to allow Chinese nationals into the country without proper screening or documentation.
The scheme, reportedly in operation for years before being exposed in 2020, involved both low-level staff and high-ranking officials in cahoots with travel agencies and criminal syndicates.
Liao, 48, was reported to be the alleged owner of a travel agency based in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
“The pastillas scam starkly illustrated how systemic corruption at our borders can jeopardize national security and compromise immigration enforcement,” Pimentel said.