Duterte denies appointing Davao-based Chinese trader as his envoy

President Rodrigo Duterte denied appointing Chinese businessman Michael Yang as Presidential Adviser for Economic Affairs.

“[He] cannot be [appointed] because he’s a Chinese. Even when the [Chinese] Premier [Li Keqiang] was here, he was part of the entourage,” Duterte said in an interview with Palace reporters on Tuesday night.

“Akala ng mga g***** pulis na ‘yan may makuha sila. ‘Yung iba pinapatay nila gaya nung Koreano. Ito [na mga katulad ni Yang] ‘yung mga mga Intsik na may mga Mercedes-Benz na tina-target nitong mga yawa na ‘yan. Kaya sinabi ko, magkamali kayo diyan,” Duterte added.

Duterte was referring to the case of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo who was kidnapped by the police in October 2016 based on a bogus arrest warrant on drug related charges. It was revealed in January 2017 that Jee was killed inside the police headquarters in Camp Crame.

Earlier, Duterte vouched for the integrity of the Davao City-based businessman, who owns the Davao City Los Amigos (DCLA) stores in Mindanao.

"Ito daw si Michael Yang na drug addict daw. Ang ambassador [Zhao Jianhua] ng China, diyan natutulog sa bahay niya. At saka kasama ‘yan doon sa entourage ni Premier of China," Duterte said.

"Pero kung sabihin mo ‘yung Michael Yang lalabas [may kinalaman sa droga]. Hindi ‘yan totoo. Matagal na ‘yan sa Davao."

On Tuesday, Duterte again cleared Yang and China's ambassador to Manila Zhao Jianhua of any link to drugs.

“Michael Yang was there in Davao 20 years ago. He is often seen with the Ambassador of China [to the Philippines}. Zhao is a military man and they have the most elaborate intelligence network, mas mahusay pa sa atin dito,” Duterte said.

“You do not belittle the Chinese intelligence,” Duterte added. — BAP, GMA News