Quad Committee Links Michael Yang and Chinese Businessman to POGO-Related Criminal Activities

September 30, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

During the House Quad Committee’s latest hearing, Michael Yang and Chinese businessman Allan Lim have been implicated in a vast criminal network linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and drug trafficking. House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Representative David Suarez led the discussions, shedding light on the alleged illicit activities conducted by Lim and Yang (the former economic advisor of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte).

“Mukhang may koneksyon at pare-pareho ang cast of characters. A criminal enterprise has penetrated us and has been operating with ‘quiet impunity.’ And out of these operations, eh, inuubos at nagkaka-monopoly na po ata to crimes that strike at the very basic fundamental rights: human trafficking, kidnapping, prostitution, murder, love scams, crypto scams at lahat na ng cyberscams,” Suarez was quoted as saying in an article published by ABS-CBN. (There seemed to be a connection and with the same cast of characters.) He described the findings as a troubling pattern of criminal enterprise that has embedded itself within the country.

Suarez explained that investigators had traced the activities of several corporations linked to Yang and Lim, revealing their involvement in both POGO operations and drug-related crimes. “Nung nakita po namin ang pattern ay sinundan namin pataas ang mga korporasyon na ito,” he said, detailing how they uncovered the layers of these organizations to identify key players in the illegal operations. (When we saw the pattern, we traced these corporations.)

The committee presented a detailed matrix outlining the connections between Yang and Lim. Several companies are under scrutiny, including Brickhartz Technology Inc., which has reportedly been involved in multiple kidnapping incidents and has connections to Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., a POGO operation associated with Lim.

Brickhartz has been linked to a kidnapping case in 2022. Suarez reported a disturbing incident where a woman was kidnapped in Pasay, brought to a POGO dormitory, and sold to a Chinese national. “Binenta ang isang Pilipina sa isang Chinese national. Pagkatapos nito ay siyang binugbog, dinala sa isang Shuangma Industrial Park in Cavite, which is run by Brickhartz.” (A Filipina was sold to a Chinese national. After she was beaten up, she was brought to Shuangma Industrial Park in Cavite, which is run by Brickhartz.)

Both Brickhartz and Xionwei are said to have ties to the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, linked to the ousted Bamban, Tarlac mayor, Alice Guo. Documents related to Brickhartz were found inside the Baofu Land Development in Bamban. This area was the site of a raid on a POGO hub conducted by authorities in March, further intensifying the scrutiny of operations in the sector.

Additionally, Yang and Lim are reportedly connected to Lucky South 99, represented by Cassandra Li Ong.

Brickhartz Technology Inc. is also alleged to have links with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which faced allegations of irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both men are reported to have shares in Paili Holdings Corporation and Paili Estate Group Corporation. Suarez highlighted that the Paili Estate Group was responsible for the construction of Clark Majestic World, a development whose residential units resemble those occupied by POGO employees. This raises significant concerns about the nature of these developments and their relation to illegal activities.

In a startling development, Suarez noted that Vietnamese and Chinese nationals had been rescued from the same mixed-use real estate project in 2022. This incident underscores the potential human trafficking aspect tied to these operations.

Further complicating matters is the relationship between Yang and Lim through Lim’s wife, Rose Nono Lin. “The most obvious figure in this network of companies by Allan Lim has built is his wife Rose Nono Lin,” Suarez explained. He indicated that Lin is an incorporator in at least eight companies associated with Yang. “Makikita po natin mamaya that Rose Nono Lin is an incorporator of at least eight companies where Michael Yang is involved in.” (We can see that Rose Nono Lin is an incorporator of at least eight companies where Michael Yang is involved.)

“Nagsimula nang kamkamin, gamit ang iba’t-ibang korporasyon o mga indibidwal, mga banyaga pretending to be Filipinos sa pamamagitan ng pamemeke ng mga birth certificate at iba pang government IDs, ang ating lupain na dapat ay para sa Pilipino lamang…This is a serious threat to our national security and to our very sovereignty as a nation,” said Suarez. (With foreigners pretending to be Filipinos through the forgery of birth certificates and other government IDs, our land that should be for Filipinos only)

The House Quad Committee is expected to recommend filing criminal, civil, and administrative cases against the persons named in the matrix.