The Philippine House of Representatives is set to deepen its probe into the P3.8 billion drug bust in Mexico, Pampanga, with plans to invite Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to ex-President Rodrigo Duterte. This invitation is part of an ongoing investigation that has unveiled potentially far-reaching implications for national security and the integrity of corporate operations in the country.
The inquiry, led by the Committee on Dangerous Drugs under Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, has already made startling revelations about the ownership and operations of Empire 999. This company, which owned the warehouse where the drugs were stored, is allegedly linked to Chinese nationals involved in various other shell companies and questionable activities.
Lincoln Ong, a key figure in the Pharmally scandal and purported associate of Michael Yang, was identified as an incorporator of a company with connections to Empire 999. The unfolding narrative suggests a complex web of corporate entities possibly designed to obscure ownership and financial trails. According to Committee findings, many of these companies are owned by Chinese nationals using falsified Philippine documents.
The situation escalated from a drug enforcement issue to a national security threat as investigators uncovered that these entities acquired extensive real estate across the Philippines, using fictitious documents to masquerade as Filipino owners. This revelation prompted concerns over the ease with which foreign entities could potentially manipulate local systems and acquire significant assets under false pretenses.
Representative Barbers highlighted the severity of the findings: “What started as a drug bust turned out to be a national security concern as these personalities and companies acquired real properties all over the country using fictitious documents.” This aspect of the investigation underscores the dual threats of illegal drug trafficking and the exploitation of legal and regulatory frameworks by foreign interests.
The focus on Michael Yang stems from past allegations linking him to drug activities, although he was cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in 2021. Yang has denied his involvement with Pharmally, stating his role was limited to facilitating introductions with suppliers.
The House committee has now widened its scope to include the financial operations behind these entities, revealing a labyrinthine structure designed to shield the true extent of the operations and ownership. As Barbers remarked, the ongoing disposal of assets by these companies’ incorporators, who have since gone into hiding, suggests a deliberate attempt to evade accountability.
As the investigation progresses, the committee has vowed to thoroughly examine every aspect of this complex case, with Representative Barbers asserting, “We promise that we will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom truth of this mess these Chinese nationals created here in our country.”