Tony Yang, the brother of President Rodrigo Duterte's economic adviser Michael Yang, appears before the Senate hearing called by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality in Pasay City on September 24, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA – As the Senate investigation on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators shifted to Chinese businessman Tony Yang, the Department of Justice said Wednesday it was bent on filing criminal cases against the brother of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Yang would not be deported as he has to face criminal cases, aside from violation of immigration laws, the reason why he was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration. 

Yang has denied his involvement with POGOs as Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian insisted on his connection with illegal gaming operations. 

“We have a choice between immediate deportation and filing of criminal cases, I think the filing of criminal cases takes precedence now,” Remulla said.

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Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said various government agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation, Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission were looking into other criminal cases against Yang aside from falsification and use of illegal alias.

“Pero bukod doon may mas malaking imbestigasyon na gagawin pa, makikipag-ugnayan dito, kami sa DOJ, NBI, AMLC, BI saka PAOCC, titingnan ang iba-ibang negosyo ni Tony Yang ano, yung warehouse, yung possible POGO, para tingnan anong pwedeng mas mabigat na krimen sa kanya,” Ty said.

Ty noted that Yang used his fake Filipino citizenship to obtain lands and corporations in the Philippines.  

Hontiveros says Yang brothers engaged in 'massive crime syndicate'

Meanwhile, aside from several complaints being faced by former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo in connection with illegal POGOs, DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said she could also face a falsification complaint. 

“Ongoing pa ang PI (preliminary investigation) ng lahat ng kasong iyan, at ibang kaso pa na inaaral ng maigi ng ating law enforcement at prosecution ay isasampa pa depende sa imbestigasyon ng prosecution particularly yung falsification, yung pag-falsify niya ng mga dokumento para makakuha ng passport,” Vasquez said.

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