By Trend News Line 2024-05-26 00:35:09.
# Government to Seize Billions Worth of Properties from Chinese Drug Lords
In a bold move to crack down on illegal activities, the Philippine government is gearing up to forfeit billions of pesos worth of properties owned by suspected Chinese drug lord Willie Ong and his associates. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers revealed that the Land Registration Authority (LRA) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) are set to file forfeiture proceedings against Ong, his real estate firm Empire 999, and his partners.
## Violation of Equity Limitation
Barbers highlighted that Ong and his associates own 55% of Empire 999 Realty Corporation, a clear violation of the constitutional limitation of the 60-40 equity. During a House Dangerous Drugs Committee hearing, Barbers announced that the LRA and OSG have committed to taking legal action against Ong and his associates, who were found to likely be Chinese nationals posing as Filipinos.
## Evasion of Summons
Ong, the owner of SEC-registered Empire 999 Realty Corporation and the warehouse in Mexico, Pampanga where 530 kilos of shabu worth P3.6 billion were seized last year, has repeatedly evaded summons to appear before the House probe. Barbers stressed that the actions of the LRA and OSG are aimed at preventing Ong and his associates from selling or transferring their illegally obtained assets.
## Legal Proceedings Initiated
During the hearing, Atty. Salvalente Elizalde of the LRA Legal Division announced that they would endorse an adverse claim to the OSG for court filing to forfeit Ong and his associates’ properties. The goal is to monitor these properties closely and protect potential buyers from unknowingly acquiring assets obtained through illegal means.
## Reversion Proceedings for Public Lands
If Ong and his associates acquired public lands, a reversion proceeding could be initiated by the LRA and OSG to revert the land to the public domain. This is the appropriate course of action when public land is fraudulently awarded to private individuals or corporations.
## Extensive Land Holdings
Empire 999 and its associates have acquired numerous titled land holdings across various locations in the Philippines. These properties are linked to interlocking companies established by another suspected Chinese drug lord, Michael Yang, who was appointed as a presidential economic adviser by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
## Conclusion
The government’s decisive action to seize these properties sends a strong message to individuals involved in illegal activities. By holding accountable those who flout the law, the authorities are taking a significant step towards curbing criminal enterprises and ensuring that ill-gotten gains are not allowed to circulate within the economy.
The investigation into the acquisition of these properties underscores the importance of transparency and due diligence in real estate transactions. As the legal proceedings progress, the public can expect further updates on the outcome of the forfeiture proceedings and the impact on the individuals involved..
“Government seizes properties drug lords”
“Government forfeiture drug lords properties”.