MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 11, 2012) – Protests are continuing in the Philippines over the dumping of toxic waste by a tanker contracted by the US Navy in Subic Bay.
The ship, owned by the Malaysian firm Glenn Defense Marine Asia, dumped drums and drums of chemicals and other waste into the sea, and insisted it was covered by the Visiting Forces Agreement.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it is investigating the dumping of hazardous waste from US navy ships by MT Glenn Guardian which occurred last month.
“The dumping of toxic waste of US contractors in Subic shows that the Visiting Forces Agreement is toxic for our nation’s sovereignty and should be junked immediately. The VFA allows US troops to get away with destruction of our natural resources, and dumping of American junk in our shores,” Anakbayan, a political group in the Philippines, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
It said US government must be held liable for the dumping of toxic waste in Subic and urged Manila not to allow any US ships and its contractors in the country.
“We urge the government to stop further US military deployment in our country, stop US-RP exercises and investigate the abuses being done by US personnel and contractors. Congress and Senate must move fast to junk the toxic VFA, the treaty detrimental to national interest. We must not wait until further damage is done,” it said.
The US and Philippines regularly hold joint combat exercises in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
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