MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has apprehended five individuals for illegally dumping solid waste in Rizal.
In a statement on Wednesday, the NBI said the suspects were arrested for “indiscriminately throwing, disposing, and burying the waste materials without due planning and consideration for environmental and health standards.”
The suspects were identified as Elmer Coniedo, Rhandolf Ric Razo, Rovegelio Ongoy Jr., Ricky Custodio, and Juana M. Neri.
The NBI said the operation was conducted by the NBI-Environmental Crime Division and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau Region IV-A personnel in Rodriguez, Rizal, on Feb. 13.
The agency said they caught the five at a Materials Recovery Facilities operated open dumpsite.
After the arrest, the suspects faced inquest proceedings at the Office of Provincial Prosecutor, Taytay, Rizal for violating Section 48(9) and (13) of R.A. 9003, otherwise known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000”.
According to the law, “establishment or operation of open dumps” and “transporting and dumping bulk domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional wastes” are punishable by at least a fine of P500,000 and P10,000 to P200,000 or one month to 3 years imprisonment, respectively. —MJ Soriano, INQUIRER.net trainee
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