The Department of National Defense (DND) and the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO) have underscored the need for strict enforcement of environmental, safety, and national security laws following the reported discovery of suspected hazardous materials at the Philippine Sanjia Steel Corporation in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
The matter was raised during AGFO’s meeting with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro at Camp Aguinaldo on June 2, 2026.
AGFO, led by its Chairman and President, retired Police Maj. Gen. German Doria, said the incident highlighted the need for stronger regulatory enforcement and closer coordination among government agencies to protect public safety and national security.
In an earlier statement, AGFO commended the government operation conducted in May and led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), with support from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
AGFO said the operation showed the government’s resolve to hold both local and foreign entities accountable for possible violations of Philippine laws.
During the meeting, Teodoro and AGFO emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach in addressing threats that may affect national security, public safety, worker protection, and nearby communities.
Both sides also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
Teodoro said the DND will support the Office of Civil Defense and other concerned agencies in ensuring the protection of affected areas and residents.
He also assured AGFO that the DND will undertake a serious investigation of Phividec and pursue measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
The defense chief reaffirmed the department’s commitment to hold accountable those found responsible, whether through direct involvement, negligence, or omission.
The meeting also allowed Teodoro, DND officials, and AFP representatives to discuss other national security and nation-building concerns with AGFO.