69 Chinese nabbed in raid on 'hazardous' steel plant tied to Tony Yang in Misamis Oriental

Authorities raided a steel plant in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, linked to businessman Tony Yang, after authorities found the facility to be allegedly substandard and hazardous to health.

According to a report by "24 Oras Weekend" on Saturday by Chino Gaston, joint operatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at the compound of the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corp., where imported and locally sourced steel are being smelted.

Initial findings by authorities indicated that materials processed in the plant may be harmful and could pose health risks to workers and nearby communities.

Authorities also warned that steel products manufactured at the facility could be substandard and dangerous if used in construction projects in the country.

The plant operates inside the Philippine Veterans Development Corp. compound, which is under the supervision of the Department of National Defense.

“Sa safety practices, may violation. Pero ‘yung environmental damage ng mga tambak nila diyan, nasa tabi ng dagat, eh violation na ng environmental code natin," Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said.

(There are violations in safety practices. The environmental damage caused by the stockpiles beside the sea is already a violation of our environmental code.)

"Pero kung merong pinsala sa community hazard sa nature ng material, ang OCD ay nakatalaga na (But if there is damage to the community due to the nature of the material, the Office of Civil Defense has already assigned personnel). It will be the subject of further investigation by the NBI and the PAOCC,” he added.

Teodoro said authorities had received complaints about allegedly harmful or noxious materials at the facility and were still determining the exact nature and classification of the substances involved.

Authorities arrested 69 Chinese nationals at the facility, most of whom were allegedly undocumented. Several Filipinos were also taken into custody.

Those apprehended will undergo tests to determine possible exposure to toxic chemicals or radiation.

Teodoro also raised concerns over the plant’s proximity to a naval facility currently being constructed in the province, saying it could pose a threat to national security.

According to the Department of National Defense, the company’s former owner was Tony Yang, brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, who has been linked to several controversies.

Tony Yang was arrested in 2024 over his alleged involvement in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

The DND said it is now investigating all companies operating within the industrial complex, while company representatives and officials have been directed to explain the alleged violations.—Jamil Santos/MCG, GMA News