Tony Yang, Brother of Duterte’s Former Economic Adviser, Linked to Illegal POGO Operations

September 26, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Criminal cases are being prepared against Chinese businessman Tony Yang, the elder brother of former economic adviser Michael Yang who served during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros revealed that Tony is the president of a firm connected to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub tied to a Pharmally executive. This disclosure came during a Senate hearing investigating illegal POGO operations.

On September 24, 2024, Hontiveros stated that Tony Yang’s company, Oro One Corporation, serves as a provider for Xionwei, which is linked to Lin Weixion, also known as Alan Lim of Pharmally. She pointed out that the email used by Xionwei is associated with another POGO, Brickhartz, suggesting a larger network of illegal activities.

“Mukhang iisang network – o happy Pharmally – lang talaga ito (It appears to be a single network — or rather, a happy Pharmally,” she was quoted as saying in a report published by GMA Network.

Pharmally refers to Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a medical equipment supplier that became embroiled in a corruption scandal during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

She emphasized that while Michael Yang is better known, Tony Yang is believed to be the true architect behind their operations. Hontiveros also indicated connections between Tony Yang, former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, and other officials in relation to illegal POGO activities.

Tony Yang was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last September 19 as an undesirable alien. Authorities found P1.4 million in cash, luxury items, a Chinese passport, and a Philippine birth certificate during his arrest.

In July, Hontiveros disclosed information from the Anti-Money Laundering Council linking Tony Yang to a raided POGO hub in Bamban. During the hearing, she identified Jomalig Island in Quezon Province as a potential hideout for POGO operators, noting connections between Alice Guo and Yang Bin, a co-accused with Guo in various charges, including human trafficking and money laundering.