Uranium seized in other Cebu Cities: Not in Mandaue

MANILA, Philippines — Mandaue City officials yesterday clarified that the depleted uranium seized by authorities recently was not found in their city but in two other Cebu cities.

Nevertheless, Mayor Glenn Bercede urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the dangerous element does not enter the city.

In a forum, he said that City Administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan informed his office that the seized 60 kilograms of metal blocks that tested positive of Uranium-238 and Uranium-235 were not seized in Mandaue City.

Calipayan, he said, confirmed that they have received a notice on Wednesay, Dec. 11, informing them that the depleted uranium was found in Cebu City and Talisay City, not in Mandaue.

“Yes, it was in our neighboring city…. It is still alarming because wala baya tay gate dinhi. So, if it is found in Cebu City, it could very well pass through Mandaue ‘nya naa baya ni siyay radioactive nga component,” the mayor said.

Calipayan said they are still at a loss how depleted uranium got inside Cebu or where it went through.

“Bisan tuod gi klaro nga dili to gikan sa Mandaue City, considering that everyone can enter bisan as,a dili gihapon assured nga safe na. We will never know unsa gyud and source ani niya until the full investigation has been concluded,” he said.

Bercede ordered the Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office (MCENRO) and other eco-enforcers to look for and act on any suspicious activities in the city.

The Mandaue City government is also encouraging the public to report to the authorities if they notice anything amiss or out of the ordinary, but to always keep in mind that depleted uranium is dangerous.

“If there are any that is out of the ordinary, dili mangunay; better to call the authorities,” Calipayan said.

He said anyone with information can use the “MCENRO Eco-Watch” as a way to report his discovery of depleted uranium and other environmental-related issues observed in the city. To access the site, the public can visit https://ecowatch.mandauecity.ph/.

Meanwhile, Arnel Pura, NBI Cebu District Office (CEBDO) agent in-charge, said the NBI Office of the Director made an error in pointing to Mandaue City.

“Sa tingin ko, nagkamali sila dyan kasi hindi man sa Mandaue ang location. It was Cebu City and Talisay City,” said Pura in a phone interview with The Freeman.

He assured that the NBI records only reflect the two specified areas.

“Kaya nag-clarify tayo dyan kasi nag-inquire din ang Mandaue City Government,” he said.

He clarified that the initial reports were inaccurate, as the operation took place in Cebu City, with a follow-up operation in Talisay City.

Pura said that he was certain it did not happen in Mandaue, as their team was part of the composite team from NBI Manila that conducted the investigation in Cebu.

“Kaya I have that personal knowledge nga dili talaga na sa Mandaue kay one of my agents was among those who conducted the operations,” said Pura.

Last Monday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced in a press conference that it has arrested three individuals accused of illegally selling depleted uranium by allegedly misleading people that they were buying "precious metals.”

The NBI had said that the depleted uranium blocks were being sold to foreigners as "precious metals" by a group led by one Roy Cabesas Vistal. The others who were also arrested were Mae Zagala and Arnel Santiago.

In a press conference last Monday, Dec. 9, the NBI announced the seizure of over 100 kilograms (kg) of radioactive materials during separate operations conducted between October and November in Pasay City, Cagayan de Oro City, Mandaue City, and Dagupan City.

As reported, all seized items “were identified to contain uranium isotopes, particularly Uranium-235 and Uranium-238.”

Since they and the facilities are not licensed holders, the arrested individuals were brought before the Department of Justice for inquest proceedings and will face complaints for violating Republic Act 5207, or the Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968, in both the Pasay City and the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City courts.

RISKS OF DEPLETED URANIUM

As reported, the depleted uranium is a toxic heavy metal and a main biproduct of uranium enrichment. It possesses the same toxicity as natural uranium.

NBI Agent Zulikha Marie Conales said that this toxic radioactive material is also “highly pyrophoric” or that by applying certain degrees of heat pressure it can already ignite spontaneously.

She further said that depleted uranium poses health hazards since it is carcinogenic, causing hazards to the lymph nodes, bones, and brain, and it can also increase the risk of breast cancers and lymphoma.

Conales likewise said that powdered depleted uranium can be more dangerous, especially when ingested.

She said that for the environment, depleted uranium also poses a hazard. Since it is highly dense, it can be used as ammunition whose dust can contaminate a wide area.

She also said that depleted uranium can be used as dirty bombs or an ultimate weapon of terror if it is weaponized through the use of radiation dispersal devices.

Citing the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the NBI said uranium presents a significant threat to national security as it could potentially be used as a source material for nuclear weapons.(CEBU NEWS)