ZAMBALES, Philippines — The statement of Zambales Governor Amor Deloso had created a ruckus when he said that the soil used to fill the Scarborough shoal was from the mountains in Sta. Cruz.

Governor Deloso specifically mentioned the mountains of Brgy. Guisguis and Brgy. Guinabon that had almost flattened.

“The effect was the mountains have become flat. Almost 1, 800 trees were destroyed. They kept the logs. So, when [heavy rains] came, flood devastated not less than 70 houses in Brgy. Bayto, Sta. Cruz,” Gov. Deloso said.

To confirm such report, UNTV went to the area which governor Deloso mentioned to personally witness the damage done in the mountains and forests.

Together with some local officials of Zambales, the team first check on the mining area of LNL Archipelago Minerals Inc. in Brgy. Guinabon.

Obvious destruction was seen from the main entrance as they needed to flatten the foot of the mountain to establish a main road for heavy equipment.

According to Deody Solee, resident manager of Sta. Cruz Nickel Mining Project-Zambales, an affiliate of LNL Archipelago Minerals Inc., while it is true that the soil coming from their mining site was brought to China, he asserted that it was not brought to the Scarborough shoal.

“Almost all our shipment goes to China and before the shipment are undertaken, before it is loaded to the ship, we pay the exact tax to BIR,” Solee said.

“Can you imagine, the soil used to fill the [scarborough] would just be washed away by sea water? So supposed to be, they should use rocks so it will be stronger. That’s what they should have placed there in the ocean. So, I don’t think there is truth to that,” Solee added.

But according to Gov. Deloso, the mining companies must prove the issue wrong.

“The documents must be traced. Do they have the Bureau of Customs permit? Or coast guard permit? Because to bring out the minerals from Zambales for purpose of mining exportation, there should be a trace of documents. Can they really prove that?” Deloso dared.

Aside from Sta. Cruz Nickel Mining, the group also visited other mining companies in Zambales.

This is the place which Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso was referring to where the soil that was excavated and brought to Scarborough shoal. Using the UNTV drone, the group saw that the mountain almost flattened.

The devastation of mining activities being operated by Eramen Minerals Incorporated and Benguetcorp was very clearly seen on the two mountains.

Deloso added that approximately over a thousand trees were destroyed in the area, including some species of endemic Mindoro pine tree.

UNTV tried to reach Benguetcorp Nickel Mines Incorporated for their side of the issue but their representatives refused to give interviews.

(JOSHUA ANTONIO/UNTV NEWS & RESCUE)

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