Senator alarmed with alleged push to grant bail to Tony Yang

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Yang, the older brother of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang, has been brought to a hospital over his lung condition, according to his legal counsel Raymond Fortun. (PNA file photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA – Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday expressed grave concern over reports that some officials in the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may have attempted to push for the release on bail of Tony Yang.

Yang, the older brother of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang, has been brought to a hospital over his lung condition, according to his legal counsel Raymond Fortun.

“Napakarami nang ebidensyang nagpapatunay ng pag-abuso niya ng mga patakaran sa Pilipinas, tapos palalayain lang siya (There are a lot of evidence proving his abuse of Philippine policies, and he will just be freed)?” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“We have seen how easy it was for Guo Hua Ping (dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo) to slip out. Maniniwala ba tayo na susunod sa batas yang si Tony Yang (Should we still believe that Tony Yang will adhere to the law)?” she added.

Hontiveros emphasized that Yang, who allegedly profited by pretending to be a Filipino, along with his brother Michael, has exploited the Filipino people for personal gain.

“Tony Yang should stay in detention. Kung kailangan niya umano ng medical attention, pwede naman siyang ipagamot (If he really needs medical attention, he can be treated), but he should remain under government custody,” she said.

The senator also noted that Yang faces a warrant of arrest from China.

Hontiveros also urged the Anti-Money Laundering Council to expedite its investigation into Yang’s alleged money laundering activities.

He is in the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and faces pending cases of falsifying documents, perjury, and violations of the Anti-Alias Law.

He has also been linked to the illegal online gaming facility allegedly owned by Guo.