Authorities seized more than P3 billion worth of radioactive and structurally substandard steel products during a joint raid on a manufacturing facility in Pampanga, law enforcement officials announced.

The 18 July operation at Chuangxing Steel Corp. was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

It led to the arrest of four company officers and the rescue of 347 Filipino and 37 Chinese workers who were exposed to hazardous workplace conditions, according to PAOCC executive director Benjamin Acorda Jr.

Authorities confiscated radioactive finished products, contaminated equipment and other industrial materials.

Tests by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute detected alpha and gamma radiation, with at least 10 workers showing signs of suspected radiological exposure.

“The products could have been incorporated into homes, schools, hospitals, bridges, evacuation centers, airports, seaports, government buildings, military installations, power facilities and other critical infrastructure,” Acorda said.

Meantime, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the plant immediately shut down, citing a grave threat to public health, worker safety and the environment.

Inspectors also cited the company for extensive labor violations, including unpaid wages and benefits, lack of personal protective equipment and unsafe heavy machinery. Investigators further uncovered undeclared metalworking equipment and evidence that coins were being melted down for industrial use.

NBI director Melvin Matibag said investigators are tracing whether any contaminated or substandard steel was already distributed and used in construction projects across the country.