By BNC staff
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking into the security implications of Chinese-linked steel plants located near military facilities and other critical infrastructure amid a government crackdown over alleged violations involving substandard steel and the use of hazardous materials.
AFP spokesperson Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the concern was not limited to the economic activities of these Chinese-run companies, but also the location of these facilities.
“What could have started as an economic venture has security implications. Not only economic implications,” Trinidad told Bilyonaryo New Channel’s “At the Forefront” program on Wednesday.
He compared the locations of the steel manufacturing plants to those of the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), a once-thriving industry dominated by Chinese nationals that the government has since banned over various security concerns.
“Bakit ang mga Pogo ay katabi ng mga military establishment? Bakit malapit sa mga critical government infrastructure? Same thing with these plants,” he pointed out.
Trinidad cited the Sanjia Steel Manufacturing Plant in Misamis Oriental, which was recently raided by law enforcement authorities, as an example of an economic facility whose location had raised national security concerns.
According to the AFP official, the Sanjia plant was within the vicinity of key military and transportation facilities in northern Mindanao, including Lumbia Airport, an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) site; the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division; and Laguindingan Airport.
“Malapit sa Edca site itong steel manufacturing plant na na-raid. (It’s just around) 40 to 50 kilometers (away),” he pointed out.
Trinidad said the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) were looking more closely into the possible security implications posed by such facilities because of their proximity to strategic locations.
“May karagdagang security implication ang isang economic venture. Ito ang sinisilip ng AFP and DND,” Trinidad disclosed.
He stressed, however, that the recent operations against the Chinese-linked steel facilities over suspected violations involving substandard steel, radioactive contamination and hazardous materials, were led by law enforcement agencies, with the DND and AFP providing support.
Trinidad said the investigation into the steel facilities had been years in the making and was not undertaken simply because of their Chinese ownership or links.
“Hindi ito overnight. Years and hundreds, thousands of man-hours behind,” Trinidad said, referring to the case buildup that preceded the operations.
He said the authorities were also examining where steel and other materials from the facilities had gone, but cautioned against drawing conclusions while the investigation was ongoing.
“I don’t want to jumpstart an ongoing investigation right now. But the government is checking kung saan napunta itong mga ito,” he said.
Trinidad said authorities were also checking whether the steel products from the facilities may have been used in structures that later collapsed, including a building in Pampanga province, although no connection had yet been established.
“If this could be proven, then that’s already economic sabotage. Yun ang mga inaalam natin,” Trinidad said.
The AFP spokesperson said the case reflected a shift in the country’s national security framework, with activities once viewed primarily as economic or civilian matters increasingly being assessed for possible security implications.
“Dati-rati, economic lang, tumatawid na ngayon sa security,” he said.
Trinidad said the government was coordinating through the National Security Council, with agencies including the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Foreign Affairs and National Economic and Development Authority involved in addressing concerns that cut across economic and national security issues.