President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation into reports that sand used in reclamation projects may have been sourced from the country’s own coastal areas.

“Matapos na makatanggap ng impormasyon patungkol po dito inutos po ng Pangulo na magkaroon po ng masinsinang pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

During the Senate hearing earlier, an official of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) stated that the sand used in the reclamation areas actually comes from the country’s coastal areas.

“Masinsinan po at malalim na pag-iimbestiga po ang dapat na gawin dito,” Castro said. “At ngayon po ay ongoing ang investigation at kapag po nagkaroon na po ng pinal na pag-iimbestiga o konklusyon patungkol po dito gagawin po ang agarang pag-uutos – ito ay ayon doon sa maaaring maging resulta ng imbestigasyon.”

Asked about the possible liability of local officials regarding the illegal activity, Castro said President Marcos’ directive was meant to pinpoint those responsible and hold them accountable.

“Kung mayroon pong dapat managot, ito naman din naman po ang bilin ng Pangulo – hindi po puwedeng iwasan ang mga tao, kung may dapat panagutin dapat pong managot,” Castro said. | PND