2 held for dumping chemical waste into river

MANILA, Philippines — Two persons were arrested for allegedly dumping chemical waste into a river in Tuy, Batangas on Wednesday.

Romano Cabrera, 46, and Mark Anthony Austria, 38, were apprehended in Barangay Bayudbud by police officers who responded to reports that two men were disposing chemical substance at around 5 p.m.

Authorities said portions of the river were covered by foam when they arrived.

Cabrera and Austria were caught cleaning several drums, which supposedly contained the chemical.

The suspects face charges for violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Wastes Control Act and RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.