PCG PROBES DREDGING VESSELS OPERATING IN MANILA BAY, ZAMBALES

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is conducting an investigation into reports of dredging vessels allegedly illegally operating in Manila Bay and the waters off Zambales.

The PCG conducted a series of inspections following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to determine whether dredging vessels involved in reclamation projects have been operating in violation of maritime and environmental rules, particularly in Zambales

Currently, the PCG said there are 27 dredging vessels in Manila Bay and Zambales.

The investigation came amid mounting concerns about alleged illegal dredging practices by  deceptive vessel operations, putting coastal ecosystems and communities at risk.

Senator Loren Legarda earlier called for concerned agencies to submit reports or studies about the reported coastal erosion related to the dredging activities  taking place in the three major river system of Zambales such as the Maloma River, Sto. Tomas River and Maculcol River.

Authorities suspect that dredging operations could have been going on in cahoots with provincial government officials.

The PCG inspections followed a report that a China-origin dredger operating in Philippine waters repeatedly switched vessel identities, raising alarm over weak monitoring of large-scale dredging activities that can irreversibly damage marine habitats.

PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the inspections, which began last month, were ordered by President Marcos Jr..

“The President directed a comprehensive inspection of all dredging vessels operating in the Manila Bay reclamation project. The Philippine Coast Guard is now conducting inspections and investigations to address these serious concerns,” Cayabyab said.

The issue gained urgency after United States-based maritime watchdog SeaLight reported that the dredger Kang Ling 539—identified as China-origin—had been broadcasting multiple identities, including different national flags, while conducting dredging operations in Philippine waters.

The irregularities include turning off the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and altering vessel identities while at sea.

According to the PCG, such practices severely undermine authorities’ ability to monitor dredging activities that can cause extensive environmental harm.

Environmental advocates have long warned that Zambales’ unregulated dredging stirs up seabed sediments, destroys coral and seagrass beds, disrupts fisheries, and increases coastal erosion—threats that are amplified when vessels conceal their movements or identities.

According to Cayabyab,  accountability would extend beyond vessel operators if the probe finds that dredgers were allowed to continue operating despite violations.

“If it is proven that a vessel with detainable violations was permitted to operate, then all Philippine Coast Guard personnel involved will face administrative sanctions,”  Cayabyab said.

SeaLight’s report showed that Kang Ling 539 transmitted at least 30 different vessel identities over more than two years while shuttling between Manila Bay and a dredging site in Zambales—an apparent effort to evade scrutiny while extracting seabed materials.

On January 2 to 4,  the vessel, while on voyage, broadcast multiple identities while sailing in Manila Bay. After rounding the Bataan Peninsula, it dropped its Philippine-flag identity and continued north using only a Sierra Leone-flag identity, including during a four-hour dredging operation on the Santo Tomas River on January 3.

The Philippine identity later reappeared as the ship returned to Manila Bay and anchored near a reclamation site, where it resumed broadcasting multiple identities.

Critics expressed concern that unchecked operations, particularly those done secretly, could lead lasting damage to Manila Bay’s already fragile aquatic  environment.