MAGALANG, Pampanga — Authorities said they uncovered alleged unlawful possession and use of radioactive industrial materials and the manufacture of substandard steel products during a raid on a steel facility in Magalang, Pampanga, on July 18.

The operation was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives and Foreign Malign Influence Unit, the Office of the Director, and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

Authorities served a search warrant at Chuangxing Steel Inc., where they said they seized radioactive-bearing industrial materials, contaminated production equipment and finished steel products that allegedly failed to meet Philippine standards. The seized materials were valued at more than P3 billion, according to investigators.

Four company officers were arrested during the operation. Authorities also said 347 Filipino workers and 37 Chinese workers were removed from what they described as hazardous working conditions.

The operation was supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard CBRN units, the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Labor and Employment, and Health, and the local government of Magalang.

Authorities said the raid halted the production and nationwide distribution of reinforcing steel bars that investigators allege did not comply with mandatory Philippine National Standards. They said the products could have been used in residential, commercial and public infrastructure projects.

Government inspectors also reported multiple labor and occupational safety violations, including alleged wage-related violations, failure to provide mandatory employee benefits, the absence of required occupational safety and health programs and qualified safety personnel, inadequate personal protective equipment, and unsafe industrial equipment and operations.

Investigators said the operation also revealed potential risks to workers, public health and the environment. Of the 323 workers assessed at the facility, 10 were identified as having suspected occupational radiological exposure after the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute detected alpha- and gamma-emitting radioactive materials, authorities said.

The Department of Health recommended continued radiological evaluation and long-term medical monitoring for the affected workers, according to investigators.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources ordered the immediate suspension of the facility’s operations after determining that it posed what authorities described as an imminent and potentially irreversible risk to worker safety, public health and the environment.

Investigators also reported evidence that coins were being melted for industrial use and said they found undeclared metallurgical equipment, including a separate furnace, at least six industrial lathes and other heavy metalworking machinery. They also reported the presence of tungsten pellets, which they said did not appear to be related to the company’s declared manufacturing process.

Based on the investigation, authorities said they established probable cause to believe that Chuangxing Steel Inc. unlawfully possessed, processed, stored, transported and used radioactive industrial materials without the licenses and permits required under Philippine law while manufacturing and distributing reinforcing steel bars that allegedly failed to meet mandatory national standards.

The NBI said it has recommended the filing of charges against 12 company officers, incorporators and stockholders, including the four arrested during the operation. Recommended charges include alleged violations of Republic Act No. 12305, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act; Republic Act No. 6969, or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act; Presidential Decree No. 1586; Republic Act No. 8749, or the Philippine Clean Air Act; Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines; and other applicable laws.