28 Nobyembre,2024 Huwebes
Happy 21st anniversary, Servants of God in Jesus Christ Christian Ministries Incorporated, Rev. Nestor Sadim, Rev. Manuel Soliman, Director Jorge Lopez
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PM for any hospital discharge problem
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‘Michael Yang key actor in Ch intel opns in Philippines’
By Nidz Godino
“Michael Yang is key actor in Chinese intelligence operations here,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said, referring to Duterte’s economic adviser went into hiding after his alleged criminal links were exposed said economic adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte was directly involved in Chinese intelligence operations in the Philippines and possibly in other illegal activities as well like drug trade.
Hontiveros said as her committee concluded its investigation on Philippine offshore and gaming operators (POGO) being used as fronts by criminal syndicates.
“He was economic adviser of the former president…they’ve exploited us and betrayed us,” she said during 16th and last hearing of Senate committee on women, children and family relations, she chairs.
The senator also linked Yang to Pharmally, under-capitalized firm bagged billion-peso contract to supply the country with face masks and other protective health kits at the height of pandemic.
She also cited activities of “web of people who used POGOs for their personal gains, for their selfish interest at the expense of Filipino people.”
“POGO is monster, this photo was given to us by one of our key informants and it further deepens what we already know,” she said as she presented images of 20 individuals, including Duterte, Alice Guo and Yang.
Hontiveros said Senate probe has exposed real nature of POGO as nothing more than Trojan horse.
“POGOs brought us nothing but nightmares,” she said.
Despite many heinous crimes unearthed by the committee, including large-scale scamming, corruption, kidnapping, torture, prostitution and human trafficking, Hontiveros clarified that their objective has never been to prove any single individual guilty.
“Guo Hua Ping, this committee has unmasked you as Chinese national mocking our Filipino identity to amass wealth and commit crimes against true Filipinos,” said Hontiveros, referring to former mayor Alice Guo’s real identity as Chinese.
Addressing Guo, Hontiveros is “looking forward to the day you face justice.”
The senator said Senate panel’s investigation, while establishing POGOs as fronts for scamming and human trafficking, has also set into motion legislative reforms to prevent another Alice Guo.
“This may be end of our hearings on POGO, but this is only beginning of legislative reforms that we will strive to push, to ensure to every Filipino that there will never be another Alice Guo, Guo Hua Ping, I’ll make sure you can’t do this again…and everyone will learn from what you do, for five long years, counting our pastillas investigation, committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality tried to leave no stone unturned to unravel many evils brought to our shores by POGOs, welcomed with open arms by administration of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Hontiveros added in her closing statement.
Guo was absent during yesterday’s Senate hearing as she had to attend proceeding at Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 for qualified trafficking.
Hontiveros lamented irregularities in Guo’s birth certificate registration, immigration procedures, passport and visa applications, bank secrecy laws and in election rules.
She said Senate President has committed to prioritizing enactment of Anti-POGO Bill to ensure POGOs, in whatever form or name, would forever be banned in the country.
Hontiveros said committee would hold on to Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) commitment to reach out to She Zhejiang for information in his possession on Guo Hua Ping, Yang brothers and other possible foreign agents.
“We will also seek to obtain these documents preparatory to committee report…even post adjournment, committee retains its jurisdiction insofar as seeking access to She Zhejiang is concerned,” he stressed.
Hontiveros further questioned National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) about Alice Guo’s alleged status as Chinese spy.
NICA deputy director general Ashley Acedillo confirmed Guo could be classified as “agent of influence,” using her position to shape public opinion and decisions favorable to foreign power.
“What is applicable is she uses her influence, using her stature of position, to influence public opinion or decision helping to produce results beneficial to country whose services they benefit from…to that effect that is applicable to her… she may be classified as such,” Acedillo said.
He noted that at present, there is no law that defines it as such.
On POGOs’ possible hosting of troll farms, Acedillo said, “we cannot discount possibility that these POGO hubs are also operating as dual-use entities.”
Hale Oliver Labayo, chief counsel of SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department, said legitimate POGOs could not be prevented from applying for new article of incorporation.
Asked if SEC would approve application of POGO to amend articles of incorporation to become business process outsourcing firm, Labayo responded, “Those who are legitimate POGOs, those that are not revoked and without violations can apply for an amendment and become BPO, provided there is clause that they will obey the law.”
He said “there will be consequences” if they violate the law.
“There will be revocation proceedings because they did not fulfill their primary purpose,” Labayo said.“I hope SEC will be vigilant. ..guard against these POGOs whose licenses are revoked and who are guilty of other illegal activities from rebranding as BPOs,” Hontiveros said.
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