Roque questions presence of Chinese dredger seized in Bataan

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday raised the question whether the apprehended Chinese dredger in Bataan province was used for black sand mining.

Joint operatives of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized the dredger MV Zhonhai 68 due its illegal presence in waters off Orion Point on January 27. The BOC said its office in Aparri, Cagayan had issued the vessel departure clearance more than a year ago.

“Malapit po iyan doon sa lugar na alam nating kinukuhanan ng black sand diyan sa Zambales. So ang nais kong malaman: Ginagamit ba ito para sa black sand operation diyan sa mga karatig bayan ng Bataan at sinong nagbibigay permiso rito?” Roque asked during his regular press briefing.

“Hindi naman pupunta iyan dito kung walang gumagamit niyan at ang nais kong malaman - sana po mabigyan ng kasagutan ng DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] - ay ginagamit ba itong mga Chinese dredging vessels na ito para kunin iyong tanging yaman ng Pilipinas at ipadala sa ibang bansa?”

Fishers’ group Pamalakaya on Sunday called on the government to punish to the “fullest extent of the law” the owners of the apprehended Chinese dredger.

Local fishermen have also lamented the decrease in fish catch due to “rampant” dredging operations in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, said Pamalakaya vice chairperson for Luzon Bobby Roldan.

He said dredging operations harm the marine life “through excavation of seabed and movement of solid particles, noise pollution, and blurring of water that drives away the fish.” — RSJ, GMA News