By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Government authorities have seized more than P3 billion worth of hazardous industrial materials, contaminated equipment and allegedly substandard steel products following a major enforcement operation at a steel manufacturing facility in Magalang, Pampanga.
The raid, conducted on July 18 at Chuangxing Steel Inc., stemmed from months of intelligence gathering and technical assessments involving multiple government agencies investigating possible violations of environmental, labor, public safety and nuclear regulations.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said the operation led to the confiscation of radioactive-bearing industrial materials, contaminated production equipment and reinforcing steel bars that allegedly failed to meet the structural quality requirements prescribed under Philippine National Standards.
Authorities said the enforcement action halted the continued production and distribution of construction materials that could pose risks to public safety and the country’s infrastructure.
The operation was carried out jointly by the PAOCC, National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), and the local government of Magalang.
Investigators also rescued 347 Filipino workers and 37 Chinese nationals from what authorities described as hazardous working conditions inside the facility. Four company officials were arrested during the operation as evidence was gathered for possible criminal prosecution.
Government inspectors reported multiple labor and occupational safety violations, including alleged wage-related deficiencies, unpaid mandatory employee benefits, the absence of occupational safety and health programs, inadequate personal protective equipment, and the use of unsafe machinery and industrial processes.
Authorities said workers were potentially exposed to chemical, radiological and industrial hazards found in raw materials, production equipment, industrial dust, slag, wastewater, transport vehicles and finished steel products.
The Department of Health has identified 10 workers with suspected occupational radiological exposure and is conducting further medical evaluation.
Meanwhile, the DENR ordered the immediate suspension of the company’s operations after determining that conditions at the facility posed what it described as an imminent and potentially irreversible threat to worker safety, public health and the environment.
Investigators also uncovered evidence indicating that Philippine peso coins were allegedly being melted and processed as industrial feedstock, an activity now included in the ongoing investigation.
The PAOCC said charges are being prepared against those responsible for alleged violations of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act (Republic Act No. 12305), Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act (RA 6969), Presidential Decree No. 1586, Clean Air Act (RA 8749), and the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394).
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