Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) -- Law enforcement personnel raided a steel manufacturing plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, on Friday, where 69 Chinese and one Filipino were found allegedly handling potentially harmful or noxious materials.The workers underwent inquest proceedings, while five incorporators linked to the company, Phil. Sanjia-Steel Corp., remain at-large.Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Ret. Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Saturday inspected the facility inside the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation (PHIVIDEC) Industrial Estate, a semi-autonomous government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) supervised by the Department of National Defense (DND).Teodoro said the plant is owned by Chinese businessman Tony Yang, also known as Yang Jian Xin, who had earlier admitted during a Senate hearing that he was not a legitimate Filipino citizen.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/brother-of-ex-duterte-adviser-michael-yang-arrested-0724">READ: Brother of ex-Duterte adviser Michael Yang arrested</a></div>Yang has also been linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations.&quot;What we have here is a case of prima facie undocumented illegal aliens na nagtatrabaho dito,&quot; Teodoro told reporters in Tagoloan town.&quot;Ito ay pag-aari ni Tony Yang na kapatid ng notorious drug lord na si Michael Yang, kung saan dapat nakakulong ‘yan. Nakakulong naman talaga, pero tuluy-tuloy pa rin ito na nag-ooperate,&quot; he added. &quot;So, dahil nga tuluy-tuloy ito na nag-ooperate, hindi ko alam kung paano pa nakakuha ng business permit ito. Hindi na dapat eh.&quot;According to Teodoro, authorities observed that the Chinese workers were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the operation, while Filipino workers were not.The defense chief said the PAOCC sought assistance from the DND after receiving reports that operations at the facility continued despite previous controversies involving Yang.&quot;Matagal na ito, at natigil na ito minsan nga nung nahuli yung Tony Yang. Pero nagumpisa uli,&quot; Teodoro said. &quot;Kaya nagtataka kami kung paano napahintulutan mag-operate ito sa kabila ng umamin na ito na peke siyang Pilipino.He went on, &quot;At kapatid siya ni Michael Yang na wanted na drug lord. So, hindi tayo nagsasalita ng panaginip dito. Tunay ito.&quot;The raid was conducted through a search warrant, with prosecutors and agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) processing evidence onsite.Authorities are investigating possible violations involving labor and employment, environmental and workplace safety regulations, as well as allegations of smuggling and the production of substandard steel products that could pose risks to infrastructure projects.Law enforcement agencies also received reports that harmful materials may have been present inside the compound, although the exact nature of the substances has yet to be determined.&quot;Ang sumbong is harmful or noxious materials. Ngayon hindi pa naki-classify kung ano nga ang nature ng materials,&quot; Teodoro said.&quot;Let’s just wait for the official report,&quot; Acorda added.The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has been tasked to coordinate mitigation efforts should hazardous materials be confirmed.Teodoro warned against any attempts to interfere in the investigation, calling the issue a &quot;matter of national security.&quot;&quot;Ito ay live na kaso. Binabalaan namin kung sino man ang magtatangkang makialam sa kaso na ito, kakasuhan namin ng obstruction of justice—kahit sino pa ‘yan dahil ito ay national security issue,&quot; the official said.He continued: &quot;Ito ay PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate na dapat secured industrial estate… Tignan nating mabuti kung ano talaga ang ginagawa nito, kung ano talaga ang contribution nito sa national economy and nation building kasi hindi ito local industrial estate. Estate ito ng veterans at dapat nagkocontribute ito sa national security.&quot;The defense chief added that authorities would begin inventorying all locators within the industrial estate to determine whether their operations are legitimate.&quot;The fact is, legal ba ito o illegal? ‘Yan ang dapat sagutin natin. Kung may violation na nangyayari na talamak at katakot-takot, wala na tayong pinag-usapan doon. Illegal na eh. ‘Yan ang sagutin nila,&quot; Teodoro said.<div> </div><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/22I7ViAbjMw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

Teodoro said the steel manufacturing plant is owned by a Chinese businessman who was previously linked to POGOs.

Teodoro said the steel manufacturing plant is owned by a Chinese businessman who was previously linked to POGOs.

69 Chinese nationals found illegally working in Misamis Oriental steel plant

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69 Chinese nationals found illegally working in Misamis Oriental steel plant

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 16, 2026 05:24 PM PHT

|

Updated May 16, 2026 07:41 PM PHT

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Tagoloan

Misamis Oriental

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