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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Violators involved in WPS sand dumping incident may face charges—Palace

Violators involved in WPS sand dumping incident may face charges—Palace

Published May 14, 2025 12:43 pm  |  Updated May 14, 2025 04:27 pm

At A Glance

  • Individuals involved in the sand dumping incident in the West Philippine Sea may face legal charges for violating the Philippine Mining Act (Republic Act No. 7942) and the Philippine Maritime Zones Act (RA 12064).
  • The Palace said the details of the investigation are considered sensitive, and thus, not much information has been disclosed.
  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is coordinating with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and the Philippine Coast Guard as part of the investigation.
People who were involved in the sand dumping incident in the West Philippine Sea may face charges for violating two laws— the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Mining Act, Malacañang said.

Presidential Communications Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro holds a press briefing at Malacañan on May 14, 2025. (Betheena Unite) 
While Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro did not divulge further information on the ongoing investigation ordered by President Marcos on the incident, the Palace press officer said the violators may face charges for violating Republic Act No. 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act and RA 120641 or the Philippine Maritime Zones Act.

Castro said they cannot disclose more information about the investigation as the issue is considered "sensitive."

"Sabi nga po natin na ito po ngayon ay may ongoing investigation, hindi po natin masasabi ang pinakadetalye nito dahil medyo sensitibo po ang mga issues dito (As what we have said, this is now under an ongoing investigation, we cannot reveal the details because this is quite a sensitive issue)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, May 14.

"Kung sino man po ang lumabag dito maari po silang kasuhan ng paglabag sa RA 7942 at RA 12064 or Philippine Maritime Zones Act at ang isa ay Philippine Mining Act. For the meantime, hanggang diyan lang po muna ang mabibigay na detalye (Whoever will found violating this may face charges for violating RA 7942 and RA 12064 or Philippine Maritime Zones Act, and the other —Philippine Mining Act)," Castro added.

The Palace official, however, disclosed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will coordinate with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), which released the report disclosing that the sand used in some reclamation operations in the West Philippine Sea were allegedly from the country's coastal areas.

The DENR will also coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as part of the ongoing investigation. 

On May 7, Malacañang said the President has ordered an investigation on the NICA report claiming that the sand from the Philippines' coastal areas are used for some reclamation operations in the West Philippine Sea.

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.

Related Tags

West Philippine Sea reclamation Philippine coastal areas President Marcos NICA
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