MAGALANG, Pampanga – Chuangxing Steel Incorporated on Wednesday defended its environmental and regulatory compliance as it faces an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations involving radioactive materials and environmental violations at its steel manufacturing plant in Barangay Navaling.
The company is also facing reports alleging that it manufactured substandard steel products that failed to comply with the Philippine National Standards (PNS), an allegation that forms part of the broader scrutiny surrounding its operations. Chuangxing has not admitted to the allegation and said it intends to address all issues through the proper legal and regulatory processes.
In a statement, the company said it is fully cooperating with authorities while maintaining that the allegations remain unproven and that it has operated in compliance with Philippine laws and environmental regulations.
“Chuangxing Steel has nothing to hide. We are cooperating fully with the NBI and will continue to cooperate with the Department of Justice because we are confident that a complete and impartial review of the evidence will show that the company has operated in accordance with Philippine laws and environmental regulations,” said Atty. Ryan Solano, spokesperson for Chuangxing Steel Incorporated.
“At the same time, we ask the public to remember that these remain allegations under review, not proven findings. Our greatest concern today is our nearly 280 workers and their families whose livelihoods depend on the plant. We trust that due process will prevail and that the facts—not speculation—will ultimately determine the outcome,” Solano added.
The company said it holds an Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in 2019, valid permits to operate its air pollution sources, a wastewater discharge permit, hazardous waste generator registration, and employs a DENR-accredited Pollution Control Officer. It also said it regularly submits self-monitoring reports required by regulators.
Addressing allegations that radioactive materials were found at the facility, the company argued that the isotopes identified by authorities—such as uranium-238 and thorium-232—are naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) commonly found in rocks, mineral sands, and scrap-based steelmaking.
The company said no measured radiation levels or comparisons against legal regulatory limits have been publicly disclosed, arguing that the mere detection of naturally occurring radioactive materials does not automatically constitute a violation of Philippine law.
“It is important to be precise about what has actually been reported,” the company said, adding that it has never handled nuclear materials and that its registered hazardous waste streams do not include radioactive waste.
Chuangxing also questioned what it described as unresolved issues in the NBI referral, including references to environmental violations that it said remain subject to determination by the DENR’s Pollution Adjudication Board.
The company stressed that it would address each allegation—including reports concerning compliance with Philippine National Standards for steel products—through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes and submit supporting documents before the DOJ and other concerned agencies.
Beyond the legal issues, Chuangxing emphasized the impact of the plant’s closure on its workforce, saying about 280 employees, including 240 Filipinos, depend on the facility for their livelihood.
According to the company, salaries have already been released through its manpower agency, while workers who had been staying inside the facility were temporarily relocated to nearby accommodations. It said it is coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment to provide further assistance while operations remain suspended.
The company also confirmed that it has provided legal assistance to four officials arrested during the NBI operation, including corporate secretary Ma. Irish Casipe and three foreign executives, while reiterating that they are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Chuangxing said its immediate priority is to secure a lawful resumption of operations while pursuing available legal remedies before the DOJ.
“Through all of this, Chuangxing Steel will keep faith with the law, with the truth, and above all with the Filipino workers and the families who depend on this plant,” the company said. DP/IORBITNEWS