PDEA clears ex-Duterte adviser Michael Yang of illegal drug links

Former presidential adviser on economic affairs Michael Yang with President Duterte during a meeting with officials of Pharmally Pharmaceuticals in Davao City. (Image from the March 18, 2017 video of RTVM Malacañang)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has affirmed that Chinese businessman and former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang is not involved in the illegal drugs trade.

In a taped meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte aired Tuesday, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva belied allegations of dismissed police officer Eduardo Acierto that Yang is linked to drug trade in Davao City.

“Ano ang allegation ni Police Superintendent Acierto? Na si Michael Yang is involved sa clandestine laboratory ng Davao City. Nothing in all of those case operation plans [show] that Michael Yang came up doon sa part of the personalities,” Villanueva said.

(What was the allegation of Police Superintendent Acierto? That Michael Yang is involved in a clandestine laboratory in Davao City. Nothing in all of these case operation plans show that Michael Yang came up as one of the personalities.)

“Ito po yung personalities, wala po kayong makikitang Michael Yang dyan,” he added.

(From these personalities, you will not see a Michael Yang there.)

PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

Yang’s alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade surfaced anew as he was facing scrutiny before the Senate over his ties with Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., the company that bagged billions of pesos worth of government contracts to supply medical items related to the COVID-19 response.

Michael Yang (SENATE PRIB file photo)

The President himself has also defended Yang amid controversies surrounding his ties to Pharmally, also clearing the Chinese businessman of drug links.

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