US Navy contractor denies dumping toxic wastes in Subic Bay

The US Navy contractor accused of dumping toxic waste in Subic Bay from American military vessels on Monday claimed that the liquid waste it released has been “treated” and was considered “harmless” contrary to news reports.

Retired Philippine Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, chairman and CEO of Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia Philippines, said the accusations reported in the local media that his firm violated international maritime laws prohibiting the dumping of hazardous waste to the sea were “inaccurate” and “false.”

The US Navy was investigating the allegations against Glen Defense, according to US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was also conducting a separate inquiry. Both Thomas and SBMA officials have not specified when the result of the investigation would be completed and made public.

Glenn Defense is part of a Singapore-based multinational company operating in 27 countries and had maintained presence in the Philippines for past six years.

“I categorically state that we release only water that has been treated and deemed suitable for release to the ocean,” Mayuga, former chief of the Philippine Navy, said at a press conference.

News reports have said waste water dumped by the Singapore-based firm’s tanker, the MT Glenn Guardian, in the former US military installation in Subic had a high toxicity level.

Mayuga said the liquid wastes were dumped about 12 miles from Subic Bay as prescribed by the international Maritime Pollution Protocol, of which the Philippines is a signatory.

He added that the domestic waste “are already pre-treated by the US Navy” before it was handed to the shipping firm. Pre-treating means the resulting fluid is strained and rendered inert or harmless and ready to be released at sea, Mayuga said.

He even said that the fluid it released is “actually cleaner” than most of the usual untreated household sewage waters that flow into Subic Bay.

Mayuga also denied claiming that the company had immunity and is protected by the Visiting Forces Agreement between Manila and Washington, a defense accord that governs the conduct and the exit and entry movements of American troops visiting the Philippines for military exercises.

“Let me state again that we are not claiming cover under the VFA,” Mayuga said. “We service only US navy ships but we are not in any way included in VFA arrangements.”

Thomas and Philippine officials have said Glenn Defense was not covered by the VFA.

The maritime company, Mayuga said, is “open” to any investigation by authorities and third parties.

“We are a responsible company. We care about the environment and will do everything without compromise to observe established standards of released pre-treated waste to the ocean at the internationally prescribed distances,” Mayuga said. — KBK, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/281987/news/nation/us-navy-contractor-denies-dumping-toxic-wastes-in-subic-bay