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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos orders probe on alleged dumping of sand from PH coastal areas to reclamations in WPS

Marcos orders probe on alleged dumping of sand from PH coastal areas to reclamations in WPS

Published May 7, 2025 01:11 pm

At A Glance

  • Marcos said a thorough and in-depth investigation must be conducted to determine what step the government needs to take over next over the report of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
President Marcos has ordered an investigation on the report claiming that the sand from the Philippines' coastal areas are used for some reclamation operations in the West Philippine Sea.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during the grand launch of VITRO Santa Rosa in Laguna, April 23. 2025. VITRO Santa Rosa is a purpose-built, 50-megawatt hyperscale facility designed to serve global technology leaders in cloud and artificial intelligence. Strategically connected to PLDT’s expansive subsea cable network spanning Asia, the U.S., and Europe, this flagship facility cements the Philippines’ role as a key digital gateway to the world. The facility is the Philippines’ first AI-ready hyperscale data center. (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks during the grand launch of VITRO Santa Rosa in Laguna, April 23. 2025. VITRO Santa Rosa is a purpose-built, 50-megawatt hyperscale facility designed to serve global technology leaders in cloud and artificial intelligence. Strategically connected to PLDT’s expansive subsea cable network spanning Asia, the U.S., and Europe, this flagship facility cements the Philippines’ role as a key digital gateway to the world. The facility is the Philippines’ first AI-ready hyperscale data center. (Mark Balmores)
         President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Mark Balmores)

Marcos said a thorough and in-depth investigation must be conducted to determine what step the government needs to take over next over the report of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

"Matapos pong makatanggap ng impormasyon patungkol po dito, inutos po ng Pangulo na magkaroon po ng masinsinang pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito at ngayon po ay ongoing ang investigation (After receiving information regarding this matter, the President ordered a thorough investigation, which is currently ongoing)," Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said on Wednesday, May 7.

"At kapag po nagkaroon na ng pinal na pag-iimbestiga o konklusyon patungkol po dito, gagawin po ang agarang pag-uutos. Ito po ay ayon sa maaaring maging resulta ng imbestigasyon (Once a final investigation or conclusion has been reached, immediate action will be taken based on the results of the investigation)," Castro added. 

During a Senate hearing, NICA disclosed that the sand used in some reclamation operations in the West Philippine Sea were allegedly from the country's coastal areas. 

Asked if local government officials would also be held accountable for allowing it to happen, Castro said it would depend on the result of the investigation.

"Kaya nga po ito ay iimbestigahan kung meron pong dapat managot, ito naman din po ang bilin ng Pangulo: Hindi po pwedeng iwasan ang mga tao, kung may dapat panagutin, dapat pong managot. So, masinsinan po at malalim na pag-iimbestiga ang dapat na gawin dito (This is why an investigation will be conducted to determine if anyone should be held accountable. This is also the directive of the President: We should not spare anyone—if someone needs to be held accountable, they must be held accountable. Therefore, a thorough and in-depth investigation must be conducted)," Castro said.

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