An environmental group on Friday scored a US Navy contractor for allegedly dumping hazardous and toxic waste in Subic Bay in Zambales. Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) claimed that the operators of tanker MT Glenn Guardian dumped toxic waste in the bay. "This shows not only their disregard to the integrity of our environment and the health of our people but also an affront to our national sovereignty,"Clemente Bautista of Kalikasan-PNE said. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has earlier accused operators of MT Glenn Guardian of intentionally dumping tons of toxic wastes to the waters of Subic Bay. The SBMA has previously conducted laboratory testing and has proven that the tanker is carrying hazardous and toxic materials. However, the tanker owners invoked their right under the US-RP Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that the company and its operation in Philippine territory is not covered by Philippine laws thus cannot be held accountable by the Philippine government and its agencies. "The US left toxic wastes in Clark and Subic when they left in 1991. They have not yet cleaned this up and is now again party causing another toxic contamination on our shores," Bautista said. He said the Aquino government should sue the official of the US tanker and seize the sea vessel. "President Aquino should order the urgent filing of a criminal case, the arrest the officers and officials of MT Glenn Guardian, and confiscate their assets in the Philippines. After requiring them to pay their liabilities, authorities should immediately expel Glenn Defense Marine Asia and its vessels and bar them from further operating in the Philippines,” Bautista added. Based on the website information of Glenn Defense, retired and former Chief of Philippine Navy Mateo Mayuga is one of the top rank officials of company and heads its operation here in the Philippines. Glenn Defense is regularly servicing the US Naval forces.
And heeeere's KALIKASAN! KALIKASAN is a CPP "cause-oriented" front focused on environmental issues.
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