Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 3) — The mayor of a town in Batangas said the Chinese dredging vessel seen in their area has no permission to operate.

In an interview on Wednesday with CNN Philippines' Balitaan, Lobo Mayor Gaudioso Manalo said the MV Emerald — which has nine Chinese and one Filipino crewmen — arrived last Thursday.

"Naireport sa akin, may barko na dumating. Nung Friday, pinapuntahan ko sa Bantay Dagat namin atsaka chief of police. Ang purpose daw nila ay mag-dredging at desilting dito sa amin - ibig sabihin, huhukayin yung buhangin. Sabi ko'y wala naman kayong authority from LGU (local government unit) kaya hindi namin kayo papayagan," he said.

[Translation: It was reported to me that a ship arrived. On Friday, I made the Bantay Dagat and the chief of police to go to it. They said their purpose was to dredge and desilt here - meaning, they were going to dig in the sand. I said they had no authority from the LGU so I won't allow it.]

RELATED: Gov't verifying presence of Chinese dredging ship in Lobo, Batangas - Palace

Manalo said ship personnel showed a contract from 2008 between the LGU and Seagate.

Seagate refers to Seagate Engineering and Buildsystems whose head office is located in San Pascual, Batangas.

"Yung kontrata na 'yon, ay apat na taon nang hindi sila nag-operate na superseded ng 2012 na panibagong kontrata ng LGU with Mayor (Efren) Diona astsaka FS Suntan," he added.

[Translation: That contract showed they haven't operated in four years and was superseded by a new contract of the LGU with Mayor Diona and FS Suntan.]

The contract with FS Suntan was to desilt the Lobo River, Manalo said it was beneficial to their community and so he allowed it to continue and processed the necessary documents.

"Yun po ay ongoing ang operations ngayon," he told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: Those operations are ongoing.]

Manalo said the legal operations are the ones with FS Suntan and not with the Chinese dredging vessel.

Manalo said he has not allowed any dregding to take place as the vessel had no permit from the LGU.

"Ang sabi ko sa kanila, basic and fundamental law bago kayo makapag-operate ng business, kukuha kayo ng business clearance. Dapat mayroong business permit kayo. Since wala kaming inissue sa inyo, hindi kayo pwede mag-operate," he said.

[Translation: I told them, a basic and fundamental law before you operate a busines is to get a business clearance. You must have a business permit. Since we did not issue you one, you cannot operate.]

The mayor said he has gotten in touch with the Environmental Management Bureau to ask what should happen next. He added the Coast Guard should be the one to make the vessel leave.

However, Manalo said the ship was "apparently" given authority by the Coast Guard to dock in their area.

"Kung ire-revoke ng Coast Guard yung authority na binigay sa kanila, hindi na sila pwedeng maghintay dito, aalis na sila," Said Manalo.

[Translation: If the Coast Guard will revoke that authority, the vessel won't be allowed to wait here, they will leave.]

"Sinabi ko sa kanila, kahit na anong mangyari, hindi ko papayagan na mag-operate kayo dito sa Lobo," he added.

[Translation: I told them, whatever happens, I will not allow you to operate here in Lobo.]

Allowing the Chinese vessel to operate would mean the flood control being laid down in Lobo will be destroyed, as well as marine resources.

Manalo said Lobo is near Verde Island Passage, which is an area rich in marine biodiversity, should the vessel be allowed to operate, it would put that at risk.

Manalo said they contacted the Coast Guard on Tuesday to help resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, Environment Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said MV Emerald is not allowed to operate as it does not have complete permits.

"As of the moment, yungnaissue lang sa kanila is yung ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate). Okay? Now yung ECC, eh nung 2018 pa naissue ito no? So this deals with EMB (Environmental Management Bureau). But when it comes to the permit of the MGB (Mines and Geosciences Bureau) which is permit to operate, permit to transport wala silang hawak na kahit na ano. At the same time ang inapply nila na permit last February 2019 e dineny na po natin. Kung kaya wala silang dahilan para magoperate sila dyan," he said.

[Translation: As of the moment, the only thing issued to them is an ECC. The ECC was issued in 2018. So, this deals with the EMB. But when it comes to the permit of the MGB, which the the permit to operate, permit to transport, they do not have anything. At the same time, the permit they applied for last February 2019 was denied. So they have no reason to operate there.]