Coast Guard: What toxic waste?

The MT Glenn Guardian docked at Alava Pier on Subic Bay. ROBERT GONZAGA/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

What dumping of toxic wastes into Subic Bay?

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)  has disputed news reports saying the US Navy support ship M/T Glenn Guardian had dumped toxic wastes into the Zambales body of water.

In a statement, the PCG on Thursday quoted Rear Admiral Luis Tuason Jr., the command’s officer in charge, as saying that “there is no dumping and we would not allow any dumping in Philippine waters, most especially in Subic.”

Tuason also said they were taken aback after reading a news item in one of the daily broadsheets about the alleged dumping.

There was no actual discharge of waste into the country’s territorial waters, Tuason said.

“When you say dumping, the wastes were discharged directly from the ship toward the sea water. But in fairness to [retired Naby chief Vice Admiral] Mayuga, no actual dumping was done,” he said.

Mayuga is the CEO of Glenn Defense Marine Philippines Inc., the Philippine office of a US Navy contractor based in Singapore.

Early this week, he dismissed as flawed reports about the company dumping hazardous wastes into the bay.

Mayuga claimed their firm handled domestic wastes from the toilets and kitchens of US Navy vessels. However, he said these were safe for disposal.

Roberto Garcia, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, earlier told newsmen that Glenn Defense support vessels were carrying “sewage waste with high levels of toxicity.”