JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said Tony Yang, the elder brother of former economic adviser Michael Yang, is liable for falsification and use of illegal alias for using a false identity in transacting with the government and putting up businesses in the country.
Remulla also described Yang a “national security problem” and called for an inter-agency investigation into his businesses, which are mostly located in Misamis Oriental.
Yang, whose Chinese name is Yang Jian Xin, was arrested last week at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Cagayan de Oro for misrepresentation. Authorities confiscated P1.4 million in cash that was found in his belongings.
During Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Yang admitted that he is a Chinese national. He said he illegally acquired his Filipino citizenship and assumed the Filipino identity of Antonio Maestro Lim to establish several businesses in the country, including a steel firm in Misamis Oriental that allegedly hosts a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
He also said he used his Filipino identity to transact with the government, and was able to secure a tax identification number, a gun license and a Philippine birth certificate that are supposed to be issued only to Filipino citizens.
Remulla said Yang can be charged falsification and the use of illegal alias.
“He (Tony Yang) is actually a national security problem. We cannot treat this as just an isolated case. This is something being done to our system of authentication as a people. Kailangan dito masampahan ng kaso para (There is a need to file cases here so) we can get to the bottom of the case,” he said.
Remulla said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration BI) for the conduct of an investigation into Yang’s businesses.
“Makikipag-ugnayan ang DOJ sa NBI, AMLC, BI at PAOCC. Doon titingnan ang mga iba’t ibang negosyo ni Tony Yang, ‘yung warehouse, ‘yung possible POGO, para tingnan kung ano ang mga puwede maging mas mabigat na krimen (Aside from these [violations], a deeper investigation will be done. The DOJ will coordinate with the NBI, AMLC, BI and PAOCC. We will look at his various businesses, his warehouse, his possible POGO operations, to see what other crimes took place),” he said at the sidelines of the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the DOJ and Integrated Bar of the Philippines for the conduct of an information drive on the new rules on preliminary investigation held at the DOJ main building.
“We have a choice between immediate deportation and filing of criminal cases. I think the filing of criminal cases takes precedence now,” he also said.
He added that the probe will also cover Yang’s land acquisitions using his fake Filipino identity. “Ginamit niya ang kanyang pagka-Filipino upang mag may-ari ng mga korporasyon at lupa. So, pati ‘yun titingnan natin (He used his fake Filipino identity to own several corporations and acquire lands. So, we will be looking at those, too),” he said.
The PAOCC earlier said the Yang family has made Cagayan de Oro their “kingdom,” adding that their businesses are related to POGO operations.
PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz has said some of these businesses include a hotel and a rice mill, which are under the name of Tony Yang.
Yang is also the owner of Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp., which is located inside the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation Industrial Authority in Misamis Oriental. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the name of Antonio Maestrado Lim.
Other businesses under the name of Antonio Maestrado Lim, according to the PAOCC, includes Ye Sen Fa Development Corp., Filipinas 168 Shopping Mall, Yangize Trade Corp., Misamis Oriental Sand and Gravel Corp., and Golden Citi Development Corp.
On the other hand, it said businesses associated to Tony Yang are Amandas Shopping Center, Yhu Enterprises, Cagayan dela Plaza, Hongjek Merchaniser, Yangze Skytone Condotel, Hongjek Merchandiser-Yang Ze, Top Pal Enfireprises, Hongiek Merchandiser, and Yangze Rice Mill.
Cruz said they have yet to inspect the steel firm, which he said is reportedly also engaged POGO-related activities.
