Concerns raised over government takeover of Hanjin

MANILA, Philippines — The public should continue monitoring developments concerning the bankrupt Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction in Subic Bay as the so-called Davao group and China might be conspiring to take over the beleaguered South Korean firm, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV warned yesterday.

“Based on Duterte’s pronouncements, I can see what’s coming next. Eventually, the Davao group will form a partnership with a Chinese company,” Trillanes said in Filipino.

“They’re cornering every possible source of income. Duterte will claim his intention is sincere, but it’s all about making profit for his group,” the senator said.

But Malacañang clarified that the possible government takeover of the shipyard of Hanjin in Subic Bay is still a proposal that has to be studied thoroughly.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana merely made the proposal and President Duterte voiced his willingness to study it.

“What I know is when I asked Secretary Lorenzana, the President just said, ‘Let’s see.’ That means it’s just a proposal,” Panelo said at a press briefing. “It’s still a proposal by Secretary Lorenzana so let’s see how it evolves,” he added.

Panelo expressed belief that it would be good for the government to take over Hanjin’s facility, so it could have access to a strategically located naval and maritime asset.

“I think it would be okay if the government manages it, at least for me, personally,” he said.

“We are, I understand, the number four in the world ranking in shipbuilding. That will be a good income source. But it’s just a proposal. Let’s see,” he added

Lorenzana earlier told senators that the President was open to a government takeover of the Subic Bay shipbuilding facilities of Hanjin as he was concerned about saving thousands of Filipino jobs.

The defense chief revealed Duterte’s position during plenary deliberations on the proposed P183-billion budget for his department.

At the same hearing, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri called the Hanjin debacle a “golden opportunity” for the Department of National Defense to operate the South Korean giant’s shipbuilding facilities and save thousands of jobs. –  With Alexis Romero