De Lima renews call for probe into Zambales dredging

MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has renewed her call for a congressional investigation into large-scale dredging operations in Zambales province, saying the vessels involved have questionable records that pose risks to the area’s security and environment.

In a statement over the weekend, De Lima again raised concerns over the dredging operations, noting that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) had given “conflicting explanations” about operations conducted by vessels with Chinese names.

De Lima was referring to questions she raised before the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations and the House plenary while the DENR’s proposed 2027 budget was being discussed. At one point, De Lima said a regional director told her that no Chinese firm was involved in the dredging activities.

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The DENR acknowledged that Chinese vessels were used, although the department said the vessels were merely rented.

“So are they trying to get away by claiming that these are merely rented Chinese vessels while the operators or renters are local? They hired from the Chinese? What is the truth?” De Lima asked.

De Lima explained that a Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) list issued in September 2025 showed that 67 vessels conducted dredging activities in the towns of Botolan and San Felipe in Zambales from 2020 to 2025, including some with questionable records and identities.

“What’s more concerning is that these ships have questionable records and suspicious identities. Why are they still allowed to operate?” she said.

De Lima also said the department had not denied the presence of dredging operations, stressing the need for an investigation, especially since residents of coastal communities had complained that the sea was coming closer to the coastline.

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“But Chinese or not, the DENR has not denied that there is large-scale dredging along the Zambales coastlines. The DENR should still clarify this,” she said.

“We cannot sit idly by while concerns about our environment and national security are being raised,” she added.

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During the 2026 southwest monsoon season, several residents complained that the sea was creeping closer to their homes, which they believed had happened after dredging activities started in 2022.

One resident interviewed by the Inquirer said the operation was halted at one point but resumed in October 2023.

READ: Sea inches closer as dredging worries Zambales folk

In November 2025, De Lima had already called for an investigation into a Chinese company’s dredging operations near Zambales, filing House Resolution No. 424 and noting various issues arising from the activity.

De Lima said Malacañang should check the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC) dredging operations in Zambales, as residents claimed that the activities endangered communities and the overall ecosystem.

According to the lawmaker, fisherfolk and residents of San Felipe town in Zambales were primarily affected by the dredging.

READ: De Lima wants probe into Chinese firm’s dredging in Zambales

De Lima also underscored that CHEC is reportedly a China state-owned company under the China Communications Construction Company.

This was not the first time CHEC had been involved in controversy over dredging operations. In March 2024, several San Felipe residents raised concerns after seeing at least 14 dredging vessels with Chinese crew members near the coastal town.

According to one of the residents, the dredging was also conducted by CHEC, particularly in Barangay Sindol and Sitio Laoag in Barangay Maloma.

READ: Chinese dredging ships alarm Zambales residents

During the same month, the Philippine Coast Guard detained the crew of at least 17 vessels involved in dredging activities to allow authorities to check for possible violations of the government’s environmental protection, safety, and security protocols.

But in October 2025, San Felipe residents again called out the “large-scale dredging operations,” which were conducted about 50 meters from the shoreline. They said the activity had affected the environment, reduced fisherfolk income and caused floods due to sea-level rise.

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De Lima previously urged the DENR to lay down its stand on black sand mining, amid reports that such activities continued in Zambales, the Ilocos Region and Cagayan. /mcm