Authorities inspect materials and equipment at Davao Mighty Steel Corporation’s facility in Barangay Ilang, Bunawan, Davao City, during the August 13 operation that led to the discovery of radioactive-bearing materials and the referral of the case to the Department of Justice. Courtesy: National Bureau of Investigation.
A Davao steel manufacturer is now facing possible legal action after authorities found radioactive materials in its production line and in reinforcing bars already circulating in the market.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) referred Davao Mighty Steel Corporation to the Department of Justice after tests detected Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 in DMS-branded rebars sold commercially.
Further laboratory checks found uranium and thorium in finished steel products, with some samples preliminarily assessed to have exceeded applicable radiation exemption limits under Philippine nuclear safety rules.
The company also came under scrutiny for product quality. Four of eight DMS rebar samples purchased from hardware stores in Mindanao failed the required mass-variation standard under PNS 49:2020.
DMS-marked rebars were later found among the debris of structures that collapsed during the magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake on June 8. Authorities stressed that their presence alone does not prove the rebars caused the collapses.
Authorities inspect materials and equipment at Davao Mighty Steel Corporation’s facility in Barangay Ilang, Bunawan, Davao City, during the August 13 operation that led to the discovery of radioactive-bearing materials and the referral of the case to the Department of Justice. Courtesy: National Bureau of Investigation.
A search of the company’s Barangay Ilang facility on August 13 uncovered Uranium-238, Thorium-228, Thorium-232 and Radium-226 in finished rebars and other production materials, including dust, waste and wastewater.
PNRI said the company and identified personnel had no required license or authority to possess radioactive materials. DENR also found that the firm’s environmental compliance certificate did not cover the handling or processing of radioactive substances. Authorities said 174 Filipino workers were rescued during the operation.
The NBI has asked the DOJ to evaluate possible violations of environmental, consumer protection and other laws. Authorities are also tracing where DMS rebars were sold and used to determine whether potentially unsafe products remain in the construction supply chain.