AMERICAN soldiers attempted to enter the premises of the controversial Chinese-run steel firm Philippine Sanjia-Steel Corp. in Tagaloan, Misamis Oriental, on August 19, but were barred from doing so by Army personnel on duty at the premises.
According to a police blotter, Jermie Espartero, a security guard of Sanjia, reported that ‘several American soldiers’ together with personnel of the Philippine Veterans Investment Development Corporation Industrial Authority (Phividec) ‘allegedly attempted to enter the premises of Sanjia Company’ in Zone 1, Nabulod Baluarte in Tagaloan around 10:12 a.m.
Espartero told police that the Americans and Phividec personnel informed them that the visit was ‘intended to conduct an inspection of the site.’
‘The complainant stated that their presence and intended inspection caused concern among the company personnel,’ the blotter recorded by P/Staff Sgt. Cayuga stated.
Philippine Army personnel who were on duty inside the premises ‘refused to allow them to enter, allegedly because they failed to present any permit or authorization to conduct the intended inspection,’ it added.
The ‘extract from the police blotter’ report was shared by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on August 23. Asked to verify the report, the spokesperson of the PNP Provincial Office Misamis Oriental confirmed its authenticity, which was also noted by the provincial police chief Maj. Enrique Francisco Dungong.
The Chinese Embassy questioned the attempt of American troops to enter the Chinese-run steel company.
‘Why did American soldiers reportedly show up at the Sanjia Steel factory in [Misamis Oriental] and attempt to ‘conduct an inspection’ of the compound? The visit was reportedly documented by Philippine law enforcement authorities. What were those American soldiers doing there? Who authorized their presence? What exactly were they trying to inspect?’ Guo Wei, deputy spokesperson of the Embassy said.
Guo also hinted at the US plans to build a logistics facility near the area. ‘We hope the workers were not detained simply because their workplace stood in the way of an American plan to establish a giant military fuel hub,’ he said.
Some 69 Chinese workers were arrested in a raid conducted on May 15-16, allegedly for immigration, labor and nuclear safety violations. The Embassy said the Philippine Department of Justice found ‘insufficient evidence to sustain the complaints against the Chinese workers and ordered their release.’
US Embassy: Part of Balikatan ’27 plans
The US Embassy in Manila confirmed that ‘as part of joint US-Philippines planning for Balikatan 2027, a team of US military and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel arrived at the Sanjia facility in coordination with the Phividec Industrial Authority to assess its potential for use as part of bilateral military exercises.’
‘The site visit was part of routine planning efforts. When notified of facility access requirements, the team moved on to other site visits as planned. At no point was entry insisted upon,’ the US Embassy said in a report.
The Embassy reiterated its ‘steadfast commitment to the ironclad Alliance between the US and the Philippines.’