CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Radioactive-bearing and structurally substandard finished steel products, contaminated production equipment, and other radioactive industrial materials valued at P3 billion were uncovered by the National Bureau of Investigation in the July 18 raid on a steel plant in Magalang, Pampanga.
In a press conference on July 28, the NBI said the discovery was a result of a joint intelligence and law enforcement investigation conducted by the NBI-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives and Foreign Malign Influence Unit, Office of the Director, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
The implementation of the search warrant with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard CBRN Units, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health and the Local Government of Magalang resulted in the seizure of radioactive-bearing and structurally substandard finished steel products, contaminated production equipment, and other radioactive industrial materials by Chuangxing Steel Inc., the arrest of four company officers, and the protection of 347 Filipino and 37 Chinese workers from hazardous industrial conditions. .
The NBI said the production and nationwide distribution of potentially hazardous construction materials by the steel factory was immediately stopped.
This, even as the agency said the harmful products could have been incorporated into homes, schools, hospitals, bridges, evacuation centers, airports, seaports, government buildings, military installations, power facilities, and other critical infrastructure.
Occupational safety
Government inspections also uncovered extensive labor and occupational safety violations, including wage-related violations, failure to provide mandatory employee benefits, the absence of required occupational safety and health programs and qualified safety personnel, inadequate personal protective equipment, and unsafe industrial equipment and operations.
NBI added that the operation further revealed serious risks to workers, public health, and the environment. Of the 323 workers accounted for, 10 were identified as having suspected occupational radiological exposure after PNRI detected alpha- and gamma-emitting radioactive materials at the facility.
The Department of Health, which conducted health assessments, recommended continued radiological evaluation and long-term medical surveillance.
Imminent threat
The DENR has ordered the immediate cessation of operations after determining that the facility posed an imminent, grave, and potentially irreversible danger to worker safety, public health, and environmental integrity.
Investigators also documented the melting of coins for industrial use and identified undeclared metallurgical capabilities, including a separate furnace, at least six industrial lathe machines, and other heavy metalworking equipment. The inspection also revealed the presence of tungsten pellets, notwithstanding the absence of any apparent relationship between these materials and the company’s declared manufacturing process.
Probable cause
Based on the investigation, authorities established probable cause that Chuangxing Steel Inc. “unlawfully possessed, processed, stored, transported, and utilized radioactive-bearing industrial materials without the licenses, permits, and regulatory authorizations required under Philippine law, while manufacturing and distributing reinforcing steel bars that failed to meet mandatory Philippine National Standards.”
The NBI has recommended the prosecution of 12 company officers, incorporators, and stockholders, including the four arrested during the implementation of the search warrants, for violations of RA 12305 (Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act), RA 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act), Presidential Decree No. 1586, RA 8749 (Philippine Clean Air Act), RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), and other applicable laws. Press release
