24-9-2024 (MANILA) In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Philippines’ political and business circles, Chinese national Tony Yang has confessed to obtaining a fake Filipino birth certificate, shedding light on a complex web of alleged illegal activities and questionable business practices.
During a Senate hearing led by opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, Yang admitted that he procured the falsified document two to three years after his arrival in the Philippines at the age of 28. This admission has raised serious questions about the integrity of immigration processes and the ease with which foreign nationals can manipulate official records.
The Senate investigation, initially focused on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), has now pivoted to scrutinise Yang’s extensive business empire and his connections to high-profile figures, including his brother Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.
Senator Hontiveros expressed her concern over the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is not a laughing matter; this is serious for us Filipinos.” Her remarks came in response to Yang’s seemingly nonchalant attitude towards allegations of human rights abuses within his business operations.
Yang’s business interests, particularly the Sanjia Steel Corporation, have come under intense scrutiny. The company, operating out of a state-run industrial compound in Misamis Oriental, is alleged to have restricted areas inaccessible to Filipino workers and facilities where torture reportedly takes place. These claims have intensified the debate surrounding foreign-owned businesses and their treatment of local employees.
The businessman’s arrest on grounds of being an “undesirable alien” appears to be a strategic move by Philippine authorities to keep him in custody, especially given that other Chinese nationals implicated in POGO-related human trafficking cases have reportedly fled the country.
Yang’s testimony revealed that he arrived in the Philippines in 1998 or 1999, contradicting the information on his fraudulent birth certificate, which claimed he was born in Misamis Oriental under the name Antonio Maestrado Lim. Despite this deception, Yang managed to establish a significant presence in the Philippine business community, particularly in Cagayan de Oro.
The hearing also exposed potential links between Yang’s operations and those of his brother Michael, who has been implicated in controversial government contracts during the Duterte administration. This includes connections to Pharmally Pharmaceutical, a company that secured billions in pandemic-related contracts despite being undercapitalised and delivering substandard equipment.
Furthermore, Yang’s involvement in the POGO industry through a company named Oroone has raised eyebrows, especially given its connections to individuals previously linked to illegal drug trade allegations.
As the investigation unfolds, it has become clear that Yang’s influence extends far beyond a single falsified document. With at least 16 businesses traceable to him and allegations of employing thousands of Chinese nationals, the scale of his operations has alarmed lawmakers and the public alike.
