Michael Yang’s brother back in hospital

MANILA, Philippines — The brother of former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, an alleged key figure in the Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), was rushed back to the hospital yesterday.

Tony Yang is expected to remain at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig for two days due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and tuberculosis, Winston Casio, spokesman for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), told The STAR.

Yang, who was hospitalized last week for reportedly coughing up blood, is one of the 34 foreign nationals in PAOCC custody who are in need of “medical intervention.”

According to the PAOCC, six women need medical care due to pregnancy, with one already in her seventh month.

Five are suffering from hypertension, three from mental health condition, two from skin diseases and two from diabetes.

Four PAOCC detainees, including one with a spinal cord problem and another with a fractured foot, must undergo surgery, Casio said.

Other foreign detainees are suffering from abdominal pain, appendicitis, asthma, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis.

Casio said all 34 detainees are undergoing regular medical checkups. Those diagnosed with communicable diseases have been isolated.

Of the 947 foreign nationals in PAOCC custody, over 640 are Chinese and 160 are Vietnamese. Other nationalities are 36 Indonesians, 36 Malaysians, 30 South Koreans, 12 Taiwanese and two Thais.