PH
Video: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
A joint operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and other government agencies raided an alleged substandard steel factory in Magalang, Pampanga on July 18, 2026.
“This will also set a warning doon sa mga nagnenegosyo. Spending billions of money without following the standards na sinet natin,” NBI Director Matibag said
[“This will also serve as a warning to business operators spending billions of pesos without following established standards.”]
According to the NBI, they had received information regarding the steel factory’s operations last March.
Authorities noted that the business allegedly operates on a large scale, supplying numerous contractors for both private and public projects. To prevent further distribution, the NBI immediately conducted test buys in various locations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, then later, authorities confirmed that the products were substandard.
“Standard po kasi iyan ng imbestigasyon na kapag V bars, metals ang iyong dini-deal with, you do not only examine the chemical and physical characteristics, but as well the radiological and nuclear characteristics of the material,” according to NBI-CFMIU Chief Atty. Zulikha Marie Conales
[It’s standard of the investigation that when dealing with V-bars and metals, you do not only examine the chemical and physical characteristics, but as well the radiological and nuclear characteristics of the material.”]
“We're addressing it by looking at the inventory. Yung documents, yun iyung pino-forensic namin ngayon dito sa mga companies na ‘to, so that we will specifically pinpoint kung sino yung mga nabigyan na na-distribute yung mga bakal na yon,” Matibag said
[“We're addressing it by looking at the inventory. We are currently conducting forensic procedures on these companies, so that we will specifically pinpoint who received and distributed those steel products.”]
After the raid, the NBI discovered that the steel produced by the company was the same as the materials used in the building that collapsed in Angeles City, Pampanga last May.
The bureau also linked the steel factory to several buildings that collapsed during a strong earthquake in Mindanao last June.
“We should be helping each other how to safeguard iyong market at saka iyong mga structures na ipapatayo natin,” according to PAOCC Exec. Director Usec. Benjamin Acorda Jr.
[“We should be helping each other how to safeguard the market and the structures that we’re going to build.”]
“We will probably come out with an inter-agency coordinating task force on this matter dahil sabi ko kanina maraming marami pa tong mga factories na ’to,” Matibag said
[“We will probably come out with an inter-agency coordinating task force on this matter because as I said earlier, there are still many factories like this.”]
The authorities emphasized that steel purchased for residential homes, government buildings, and critical infrastructure must meet strict quality and durability standards.
Currently, authorities have taken twelve suspects and may face potential charges for violating Consumer Act of the Philippines, Philippine Clean Air Act at Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act.
RELATED VIDEO:
Source: You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Date posted: July 29, 2026 5:39 PM