Ex-Duterte Adviser Michael Yang’s POGO Ties Exposed After Brother’s Arrest

Senator Risa Hontiveros claims that the arrest of Tony Yang reveals the Yang family’s deep connections to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and Chinese criminal syndicates. Tony (whose real name is Yang Jian Xin) is the older brother of Michael Yang, former economic advisor to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Hontiveros made her remarks during a visit to Cagayan de Oro City, where a POGO linked to Tony Yang had reportedly operated. Tony is listed as the president of Phil Sanjia Corporation, a steel company that faced complaints from its employees for failing to remit contributions to the Social Security System (SSS), PAG-IBIG, and PhilHealth.

“Bisto na sila, ‘wag na silang mag-deny (They have been busted and should no longer deny). The arrest of Tony Yang, who is wanted in China for financial scamming, will pave the way for establishing his connections to POGOs—just like his brothers Michael and Hongjiang,” Hontiveros asserted in her statement released on September 23, 2024.

“It is much clearer now that their family business is a massive crime syndicate that has operated in the country for far too long and has victimized far too many.”

The senator highlighted that Hongjiang Yang had direct financial dealings with Baofu Land Development, Inc., which hosted the Hongsheng and Zun Yuan POGOs connected to dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo.

Hontiveros emphasized, “These links take us beyond POGOs and back to the multi-billion peso Pharmally scam.

“Tandaan natin na incorporator din si Hongjiang ng Philippine Fullwin Group of Companies, kung saan presidente si Michael Yang at corporate secretary naman ang isang Gerald Cruz. Si Gerald Cruz ay corporate secretary din sa Pharmally Biological, kung saan may shares si Michael Yang. Incorporator rin siya ng Brickhartz POGO, na ang papeles ay natagpuan sa Bamban (Let us remember that Hongjiang is also an incorporator of the Philippine Fullwin Group of Companies, where Michael Yang is the president and a Gerald Cruz is the corporate secretary. Gerald Cruz is also the corporate secretary of Pharmally Biological, where Michael Yang has shares. He is also an incorporator of Brickhartz POGO, whose documents were found in Bamban).”

Hontiveros argued that the alleged involvement of both Tony and Hongjiang Yang in POGOs is no coincidence. “Malabong nagkataon lang na pare-pareho ang ginagawa nitong magkakapatid na Yang (It’s hardly a coincidence that these Yang brothers are doing the same thing.) There are indications that corporate layering and the crimes they committed through these entities may be part of their modus operandi,” she said.

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