BACNOTAN, La Union, Philippines – A 400-meter pipe from a dredging machine was found floating in waters off Barangay Baroro in this town on Saturday afternoon.
Bigger than an average man, the pipe was described as similar to those being used by the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea.
The Coast Guard could not say if the pipe had come from one of the islets in the West Philippine Sea that the Chinese are occupying.
“There is still no confirmation where it really came from and why that big pipe was here,” said Ensign Simeon dela Rosa, Coast Guard public information officer.
The pipe could have been slowly swept toward shore when he saw it floating in the sea at about 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., according to resident Milcky Ocampo.
“I am also worried because we do not know what is the component of that thing, it also looks strange to us; why is that there are foreign looking words written on it, we don’t understand what was exactly written there,” he said.
Curious residents gathered around the pipe to have a look and even climb on it.
Others hesitated to touch it for fear of contracting a virus from a foreign land.
Several Coast Guard personnel were sent to safeguard the pipe and assure the safety and welfare of residents.
They are discussing what to do with the pipe, Dela Rosa said.
“ So far, there is no evidence yet that the pipe is hazardous to the health of Bacnotan residents, “ he said. “There is no trace of oil either.”