VFA body ‘blocked’ probe of US Navy contractor

From the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov 10): VFA body ‘blocked’ probe of US Navy contractor

As early as 2011, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) had been looking into reports of toxic waste dumping by Glenn Defense Marine Asia, the Malaysia-based US Navy contractor, not just in Subic Bay but also in Manila Bay, the Inquirer has learned. But the agency’s efforts have been stymied by the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFACOM), according to Roberto Sheen, a former director of the EMB Central Luzon. Sheen said the EMB had been inquiring into the operations of Glenn Defense Marine Asia, which is engaged in the business of hauling out wastes accumulated by foreign vessels, including those from the US Navy.... Sheen said the EMB made an attempt to inspect the vessels of Glenn Defense but was barred from doing so by the VFACOM. The case remains unresolved, said Sheen, who was reassigned to the EMB office in Bicol on Aug. 3. Interestingly, he said that US Navy officials at the US Embassy had told him that Glenn Defense was not exempt under the terms of their contract from complying with Philippine laws. VFACOM executive director Edilberto Adan did not respond to the Inquirer’s inquiries....

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/55752/vfa-body-blocked-probe-of-us-navy-contractor