Barbers: Arrest ‘breakthrough’ in POGO, EJK probe
The older brother of the economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by Immigration agents at the NAIA Terminal 3 Thursday evening.
Yang Jian Xin, 54, was arrested by elements of the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) and Intelligence Division (ID) in cooperation with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
He is the brother Michael Yang, Duterte’s ex-adviser who has been linked to allegedly illegal POGO activities and drug operations, as well as to the Pharmally scandal involving allegedly overpriced COVID-19 medical supplies sold to the government during Duterte’s term.
The elder Yang, who also uses the alias Antonio Lim and Tony Yang, arrived from a Cebu Pacific flight from Cagayan de Oro when he was arrested.
The House Quad Committee hailed the arrest of Yang, calling it a “major breakthrough” in its investigation into what appears to be a large-scale organized crime syndicate involving Chinese nationals in connivance with corrupt Philippine officials.
The mega-panel—composed of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts—described the arrest as a crucial step in exposing the criminal network hiding behind legitimate businesses.
“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,” said Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, overall chair of the Quad Committee and head of the committee on dangerous drugs.
“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,” Barbers added.
The elder Yang is suspected of being involved in smuggling drugs and facilitating illegal POGOs in Cagayan de Oro City, as well as in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
Michael Yang, on the other hand, has been identified as a key figure in the congressional investigation into the connections between illegal POGOs, drug trafficking, land grabbing by some Chinese nationals, and extrajudicial killings tied to the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
“The capture of Tony Yang strengthens the case against his brother, Michael Yang, who has continuously evaded our summons. We will not stop until we uncover the full scope of their involvement in illegal activities that endanger our people and threaten national security,” Barbers said.
The Immigration bureau said the elder Yang also faces a deportation case for being an undesirable alien after allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino and falsifying information regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission certification of the Philippine Sanjia Corporation which he owns.
Filipino employees of the said company were also said to have filed complaints for the non-remittance of their Social Security System (SSS), PAG-IBIG, and PhilHealth contributions.
Yang was turned over to PAOCC for custody.
PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said Yang was likely attempting to flee the country as he was carrying P1.4 million in cash and various foreign currencies.
Yang possessed multiple Philippine-issued IDs under the name “Antonio Maestrado Lim,” a firearm permit, and a luxury watch valued at over P2 million.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Michael Yang’s elder brother with links to POGO, drugs nabbed at NAIA.”
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