5 August 2004 - Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert lauded the successful conduct of naval training exercises between the Philippine and US navies under the combined bilateral exercise dubbed as “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2004” that was held in Zambales and Cavite provinces.  Secretary Albert said “ CARAT 2004 has indeed strengthened the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines especially the Philippine Navy in the Government’s determined campaign against terrorism and in safeguarding the country’s maritime borders and resources.”

The Mutual Defense Treaty – Visiting Forces Agreement (MDT-VFA) related joint RP-US naval exercise CARAT 04 which commenced on 27 July 2004 concluded yesterday, 04 August 2004 with a closing ceremony at the Seafront Restaurant.  The exercises were conducted at various training sites in Zambales and Cavite provinces with the primary objective of enhancing the interoperability between the participating forces of the Philippine Navy and the US Navy.  The main exercise events are:
 
                    1. Fleet exercise
                    2. Naval aviation training
                    3. Naval special warfare exercise
                    4. Naval diving and salvage exercise
                    5. Naval symposium
                    6. CMO/ COMREL activities

With its conclusion, we can expect our Philippine Navy to have acquired additional individual knowledge and skill on the operation of various modern naval system and equipment and have enhanced their proficiency in combined naval planning operations.    In addition, more than a thousand members of the Zambales community have benefited from the free medical, dental and veterinary services conducted jointly by RP and US military medical professionals as part of the CARAT 04 Exercises.   Two school buildings have been constructed, books have been donated and blackboards were installed in two different schools in Zambales.

These joint-military exercises promote friendship and strengthen the relationship between the military personnel of both countries.  Further, this is an indication that the Philippines remains strong in its commitment in its fight against terrorism by enhancing the capabilities of our military and by strengthening our bilateral relations with the United States.

On another note, The Commission received reports of  the alleged human waste spillage and disposal at the SBMA waters by one of the US naval ships participating in the RP-US joint naval exercise, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, dubbed CARAT 04.

The Commission, in its commitment to uphold the national interest by ardently following its mandate to monitor the MDT-VFA related exercises and assess the environmental, social and health impact of such activities, bring you this final statement to finally put the issue to rest.

The Commission sent a team headed by myself to investigate the matter and have found that there were indeed two accounts of waste spillage that occurred during the Exercises: I shall first address the first incident that which occurred on the Tuesday, 27 of July 2004.

At 1600H, SBMA safety inspectors received reports that USS Russell was allegedly discharging “human waste” at the Alava Pier.  Upon ocular inspection, the team saw debris of twigs, plastic, etc and what appeared to be human wastes floating on the water surface near the US vessel.  While digital pictures were taken for documentation, it was found out that the investigators have also taken pictures of certain parts of the USS Russell. The investigators surrendered the diskette containing the pictures to two US navy officers after being explained that pictures of the sensitive parts of the ship may compromise security of their vessel.  The diskette has been forwarded to the Commission.

The Ecology Department of the SBMA served a notice of violation to the USS Russell after hearing the report of the investigators.  As a matter of protocol, all transactions and communications related to maritime vessels, whether military or commercial, is coursed through its contracting agent.  In the case of the USS Russell, its contracting agent Global Ship Management, received the notice of violation and has already responded to the allegations.

It cannot be ascertained if the wastes came from the USS Russell or whether it was washed down the shore due to the inclement weather and coincidentally swept by the side of the US vessel. Further investigations and research concluded that military ships do not dispose solid human waste.  Human excrement is processed, treated and turned into bilge before being disposed.  With inconclusive evidence and facts, the SBMA thought it just to withdraw the complaints.

SBMA officials did not order a suspension of investigation.  Upon review of the initial report, SBMA administration found some of the details inconclusive and therefore issued a word of caution from releasing information until further investigations are conducted. Disclosing details without the support of a solid investigation is deemed premature and may only prove to be detrimental to the parties involved, particularly to the cordial spirit under which the RP-US joint military exercises is revered and cherished.

The second incident occurred on the 29th of  July 2004, two days after when approximately (1) one drum of bilge water were scattered within the waters at Alava Pier.  Upon investigation, it was fount out that there was an on-going hauling of bilge water from the USS Mc Campbell to the tank truck of the waste transporter,  The driver of the truck and his assistant, who were supposed to monitor the procedure, took their lunch break.  When they returned, the bilge water was already overflowing.  The contractor responsible for the spillage immediately conducted clean-up and recovery of the substance and was penalized for the negligence.  The USS Mc Campbell did not have any liability or responsibility on this incident.

According to the Commission’s records, the US takes necessary measures to prevent such incidences.  Further, if proven at fault, the US immediately complies with the governing rules and regulations of the Visiting Forces Agreement, as exemplified by the USS Coronado in the event of the accidental oil spillage at the Alava Pier.  The US vessel, through its contracting agent, conducted an immediate thorough clean-up and paid the fine of $5000 imposed by the Ecology Department.

The SBMA, in line with the President’s agenda, is geared to make Subic a competitive and a world-class marina.  The administration will not tolerate any violations such as discharging of wastes in the SBMA port and is vigilant in its role in monitoring the activities during RP-US joint military activities.

The Commission sends its assurances that all exercises are under close supervision and is always in the service of extending assistance to claimants for damage incidental to the activities during the exercises.  Further, in support to H.E. the President’s foreign policy, the Commission aims to strengthen RP-US bilateral cooperation through the MDT-VFA military exercises.