Ebdane debunks claims Zambales soil sold to ChineseIBA, Zambales: Former Zambales governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has belied claims by incumbent governor Amor Deloso that he sold the mountain soil of the province to the Chinese that is allegedly used in the reclamation of the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Deloso earlier claimed that truckloads of Zambales soil were hauled out of the province, after the area was sold to the Chinese by Ebdane. Ebdane also debunked Deloso’s claim that the Zambales mountain soil was taken to Bajo de Masinloc (another name for Scarborough Shoal), describing it as unbelievable. Current Environment Secretary Regina Lopez has ordered an investigation of the alleged use of mountain soil from Zambales for reclamation work in the Scarborough Shoal. He said actual mining happened in 2007 and it was at its peak in Zambales in 2008.

Source: Manila Times August 05, 2016 16:07 UTC