The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested Xu Shiyan, a Chinese national linked to Tony Yang—the brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang—in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao.
Xu is an incorporator of the Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corporation (Phil-Sanjia) based in Cagayan de Oro City, according to Melody Penelope Gonzales, head of the BI’s Mindanao Intelligence Task Group (MITG).
Among the incorporators of the said company is Antonio Lim, allegedly an alias of Tony Yang, who was previously investigated by legislative bodies for his reported involvement in scam hub operations across the Philippines.
Found in Xu’s possession were numerous Philippine documents, including birth certificates, Philsys slips, SSS forms, UMID forms, Postal ID, TIN ID, driver’s license, and a COMELEC registration slip—all bearing his identity.
The BI previously arrested Tony Yang in 2024, after also allegedly misrepresenting himself as a Filipino.
Phil-Sanjia has faced scrutiny in 2024 after it was revealed in a congressional hearing that it was connected with illegal POGO operations.
“We will not allow foreign nationals to abuse our systems, falsify their identities, and use Philippine documents to cover their tracks,” BI Chief Joel Anthony Viado said.
“The Bureau is fully committed to supporting the President’s campaign to rid the country of criminal elements linked to illegal POGOs,” he added.
