Chinese trader Tony Yang arrested for second time

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese businessman Tony Yang, also known as Yang Jian Xin, who was earlier linked by authorities to a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hub allegedly operated by dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of falsification of public documents, perjury and violation of the Alias Law.

The older brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang was taken by the Pasay City police from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) temporary custodial facility in Pasay City based on a warrant issued on Nov. 22, 2024 by the Cagayan de Oro City Municipal Trial Court Branch 2.

“This arrest is more than just the capture of an individual; it’s about holding people accountable, no matter how deep their ties or how many names they use. We are determined to protect the integrity of our systems and institutions from those who abuse them,” said PAOCC executive director Gilberto DC Cruz.

Fake Pinoy

Yang will remain in police custody pending a request for bail. Once released, he will be transferred to the Bureau of Immigration to face immigration-related offenses.

Yang was first arrested on Sept. 19, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for violating immigration laws. Seized from him were official documents identifying him as a Filipino, firearm licenses and nearly P1.4 million in cash.

During the investigation, he was found to have used fake Filipino identities to establish at least 12 companies in Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, including malls, rice mills, and a steel plant.

Probers said Yang’s activities share striking similarities to those of Mayor Guo, who was later revealed to be Guo Hua Ping based on documents showing her to be a Chinese citizen.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said that Yang was involved in Pogos, including the one linked to Guo, while Sen. Risa Hontiveros said that he was “wanted in China for financial scamming.”

Yang denied any connection to Pogos but admitted to being a Chinese national who illegally acquired Filipino citizenship to establish companies in the country and secure documents issued only to Filipinos, such as a gun license, a tax identification number and a birth certificate.

In October 2024, the National Bureau of Investigation in Northern Mindanao filed 16 complaints against Yang. The complaints against him include falsification of public documents, perjury and violation of a 1936 law that required judicial authority before any person can use an alias. —With a report from Inquirer Research

(2025/07/11-05:42)

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