The controversy surrounding Chinese citizen Yang Jianxin (also known as Tony Yang, Antonio Lim) in the Philippines continues to escalate. Joel Anthony Viado, the Director of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, publicly stated that he personally halted an attempt to bail out Yang Jianxin recently, and hinted that the subsequent anonymous smear accusations might be related to his firm decision to refuse release.
Viado revealed that he unexpectedly discovered a draft bail proposal intended to give Yang Jianxin the green light, which he immediately vetoed. He also emphasized that there were attempts to persuade him to "loosen up" afterwards, but he refused. "I will not compromise, Yang Jianxin is still in custody. This attempt to forcibly bail him out is disgusting," Viado said in a statement.
As the incident became public, an anonymous complaint letter was delivered to the office of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 2. The letter, claiming to be from an "immigration bureau employee," accused Viado of abusing his authority, interfering with case procedures, and illegally profiting through "auctioning" permanent residency quotas.
Viado quickly responded, stating that the letter was typical "black propaganda," likely backed by interest groups affected by his reform measures. He insisted that he would continue to push forward with institutional cleanup and restructuring without interference.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has taken a keen interest in this matter. He has instructed relevant departments to investigate, while reminding the public that accusations against public officials must be based on clear evidence. "A letter that is unsigned and lacks specific details is not sufficient for conviction, but we will investigate thoroughly and not overlook any clues."
According to records, Yang Jianxin was arrested at Manila International Airport in September 2024 and was listed as an "unwelcome foreigner." He is the brother of Michael Yang, a "Chinese advisor" during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte.
Although Yang Jianxin denies having direct business ties with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), he admitted during a Senate hearing that he obtained Philippine nationality through illegal means, using it to acquire firearms permits, tax identification numbers, and birth certificates that are normally only available to citizens.
The investigation is still ongoing, drawing widespread attention to the chaotic acquisition of foreigner identities in the Philippines and regulatory loopholes in the gaming industry. Public opinion widely questions: Who is really pushing for the bail? And does Viado's firm refusal trigger a deeper power struggle?
