NBI raids Pampanga steel plant, arrests 3 Chinese, 1 Filipino

Some 300 workers of Chuangxing Steel Incorporated in Magalang, Pampanga, are affected by the steel plant’s closure for alleged violation of environmental and consumer protection laws. (Photo courtesy of CLTV36 News) MABALACAT CITY, Pampanga — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), assisted by the police on Sunday, July 18, shut down a steel manufacturing plant in Pampanga’s Magalang town and arrested three Chinese executives and a Filipino company official. Authorities said the plant, Chuangxing Steel Incorporated in Barangay Navaling, was suspected of producing steel products that do not comply with Philippine national standards, in violation of the Consumer Act of the Philippines. It was also suspected of violating environmental laws. The closure of the steel plant has affected around 300 workers. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Bulacan LGU closes steel plant for allegedly violating environmental laws During the municipal government’s flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Magalang Mayor Maria Lourdes Lacson confirmed the plant shutdown. While Magalang welcomes investments and employment opportunities for its residents, manufacturing plants and other business establishments must strictly comply with environmental and consumer protection laws, rules, and regulations, the mayor said. Authorities have filed charges against the four company officials for alleged violations of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the Philippine Clean Air Act, and the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990. In August 2024, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI), which represents the country’s iron and steel industry, warned about substandard steel bars being sold in parts of Central and Northern Luzon. Article continues after this advertisement According to PISI, 13 of the 33 steel bar samples it purchased from hardware stores in Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Cagayan failed to meet the minimum standards for mass variation and elongation. The institute identified Chuangxing Steel as one of five alleged manufacturers of the substandard steel bars. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Raided steel plant in Misamis shutdown Lacson urged municipal employees and barangay officials to report manufacturing plants and warehouses suspected of engaging in activities that could harm the environment or endanger public health. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. As of Tuesday, the NBI had not issued a statement on whether local government or barangay officials would also be investigated or face charges over the steel plant’s operations./coa