Michael Yang’s brother rushed to hospital due to tuberculosis

MANILA, Philippines — Tony Yang, the detained elder brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang and an alleged key figure in Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), was rushed to a hospital on Monday due to suspected tuberculosis, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported yesterday.

Yang was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig after complaining of congested chest pains on Monday afternoon, according to PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio.

Yang had reportedly been coughing up blood for three straight days. He even showed his blood-stained handkerchief to a PAOCC officer.

“He has been diagnosed with suspected tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by his attending physician,” Casio told reporters in a message on Viber.

Yang was discharged from the hospital. He is in PAOCC custody while waiting for the confirmatory results of his laboratory tests.

Also known as Yang Jian Xin and Antonio Lim, Yang has been under PAOCC custody following his arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in September 2024.

He was apprehended as an undesirable alien on the basis of a mission order after he arrived on a flight from Cagayan de Oro City.

According to Casio, Yang is an alleged POGO financier.

Meanwhile, the PAOCC disinfected its custodial facility in Pasay after six detainees were afflicted with community-borne diseases such as influenza and respiratory infections.

The sick detainees – all foreigners – were isolated in one area of the facility to prevent the viral diseases from spreading.

Up to 899 foreigners are being held at the PAOCC detention facility pending deportation, according to Casio.