By Deighton Acuin and Archie Villaflores

PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Malacañang on Monday is wondering if the Chinese dredger seized in Bataan province was permitted by local governments for supposed black sand operations.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the vessels would not come here if there are no essential purposes.

“Mga kababayan, ang tanong, saan ginagamit itong mga dredging vessels na ito? Baka naman yan ay ginagamit dito sa ilang mga lugar sa Pilipinas na may pagpayag ng lokal na pamahalaan?” Roque said in an online Palace briefing.

“Ano ang ginagawa po niyang dredging vessel na yan sa malapit sa Orion? Malapit po yan sa lugar na alam natin kinukuhanan ng black sand sa Zambales. Nais ko malaman, ginagamit ba ito para sa black sand operation dyan sa mga karatig ng Bataan at sinong nagbibigay permiso dito?”

“Ibig sabihin po, hindi po yan pupunta dito kung walang gumagamit nyan at ang nais kong malaman, sana mabigyang kasagutan ng DENR, ginagamit ba itong mga Chinese dredging vessels na ito para kunin yung tanging yaman ng Pilipinas at ipadala sa ibang bansa?” Roque added.

Earlier, operatives from Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized a Chinese dredger in Orion Point, Bataan for illegal presence in Philippine waters.

It was issued a departure clearance in Aparri, Cagayan over a year ago hence its presence in Bataan was illegal and unauthorized.


RELATED ARTICLE: Philippine Daily Inquirer