MANILA – The arrest of Tony Yang, the elder brother of former presidential adviser Michael Yang, has intensified the House quad committee’s (Quadcom) investigations into illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), signaling a deep dive into the alleged criminal networks operating within these sectors.
According to Philippines News Agency, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, overall chair of the Quadcom, hailed the arrest as a significant breakthrough. “This is a major breakthrough in our fight against illegal drugs and organized crime. Tony Yang’s arrest exposes illicit activities disguised as legitimate businesses,” Barbers stated. Yang, also known as Yang Jianxin, was detained at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), with support from the Bureau of Immigration and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Barbers emphasized that the arrest underscores a longstanding issue of individuals using corporate entities to shield illegal operations. “For too long, these individuals have operated with impunity, using corporate fronts to conceal their illegal operations. This arrest strengthens our commitment to pursuing justice and holding everyone involved in these syndicates accountable, no matter how well-connected they may be,” he added.
Tony Yang’s business, Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp., has been scrutinized for its connections to various illegal activities, including drug smuggling and facilitating illegal POGO operations in locations such as Cagayan de Oro City, Bamban in Tarlac, and Porac in Pampanga. His arrest is seen as complementing Quadcom’s efforts to hold his brother, Michael Yang, accountable. Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to President Rodrigo Duterte, has been elusive, failing to respond to multiple summons related to a PHP3.6-billion drug bust last year and alleged ties to illegal POGOs, land grabbing, and extrajudicial killings linked to Duterte’s drug war.
Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, noted that Tony Yang’s testimony could be pivotal in delineating the full extent of POGO operations. “We expect him to cooperate and provide valuable testimony that will help us uncover the intricate web of criminal operations operating under the radar,” Fernandez said. He also pointed out financial links between Tony Yang and dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, which are under investigation by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
“The financial links between Tony Yang and Alice Guo are part of a larger conspiracy that we are determined to unravel,” Fernandez remarked, promising relentless efforts to hold all parties involved accountable.