Tony Yang Arrested in Manila Over Corporate Fraud and Identity Crimes
MANILA, Philippines — Jianxin Yang, also known as Tony Yang and the older brother of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser Michael Yang, was arrested on July 9, 2025, at the Temporary Custodial Facility of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in Pasay City.
The arrest follows multiple charges including falsification of public documents, perjury, and violation of the alias law. A warrant was issued on November 22, 2024, by Judge Eleuteria Apdian Badoles-Algodon of the Municipal Trial Court Branch 2 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Yang was intercepted earlier at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for immigration violations. Authorities uncovered his involvement in a widespread network of corporate and identity fraud. Operating under the alias Antonio Maestrado Lim, Yang reportedly established at least 12 companies across Cebu, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro, including malls, rice mills, and a steel plant.
During the airport operation, officials recovered falsified IDs, firearm licenses, nearly ₱1.4 million in cash, and other contraband items. Investigators also noted parallels between Yang’s case and that of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who faced similar allegations involving questionable civil documents.
In a Senate inquiry held in September 2024, Yang admitted to using the name Antonio Maestrado Lim and securing a fraudulent Philippine birth certificate, which he claimed was obtained by his grandfather. This document enabled him to operate businesses as a Filipino citizen despite being born in China.
Yang is currently held at the Pasay City Police Station pending bail and will be handed over to the Bureau of Immigration for further proceedings related to his immigration offenses.
