Authorities discovered alleged radioactive and substandard steel at a steel manufacturing facility in Barangay Ilang, Bunawan, Davao City, during an operation involving the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and other agencies.
A total of 174 Filipino workers were removed from the facility because of the reported risk of exposure to radioactive-bearing materials and other production residues.
The operation was conducted on Aug. 13 through a search warrant stemming from a National Bureau of Investigation probe into allegations that the plant had produced and distributed substandard steel bars, according to the PAOCC.
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute also found that the company operating the facility did not have a license or authority to acquire, receive, possess, use, store, sell, transfer, import or export nuclear or radioactive materials.
The PNRI certification covered the company’s authority to handle radioactive materials, according to the PAOCC.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also inspected the facility and found that the company’s environmental compliance certificate did not authorize it to handle, process, store or use radioactive materials at the plant.
The findings raised concerns over the presence and handling of radioactive-bearing materials at the facility.
The operation followed the NBI investigation into allegations involving the production and distribution of substandard steel bars.
