By Henry Empeño | January 19, 2026

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — This former military base is ready to accept more than 20 containers of radioactive zinc wastes that were “reexported” to the Philippines in September last year and now stranded for months in Manila Bay.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Acting Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications Armie Llamas confirmed on Sunday, January 18, that Subic would accept the cargo provided it is certified by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).

“As long as there is certification from the PNRI that the cargo, albeit said to be radioactive, is safe by their regulatory standards, Subic would be willing to accept it,” she told BusinessMirror in a text message.

Llamas said the radioactive cargo would be stored in a bunker at the former Naval Magazine in Subic, which was used by the U.S. Navy as ammunition depot.

The cargo, contained in 23 container vans, arrived at the Port of Manila in September last year after it was rejected in Indonesia as export following detection of radioactive Caesium-137.

Zannwann International Trading Corp., a Chinese exporter based in Meycauayan, Bulacan, reportedly sourced the zinc dust from SteelAsia Manufacturing Corp., a steel company based in Taguig, Metro Manila, which produces reinforcing steel bars.

PNRI director Carlo Arcilla had since described the cargo as “weakly contaminated,” claiming the radiation level “becomes background” just one meter away.

Arcilla was quoted in news reports last October that a “medium-term solution” for the radioactive cargo would likely be its storage in bunkers in Subic.

The SBMA, through Llamas, also issued a statement on Sunday, assuring the public that the said cargo carries a safety certification issued by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI).

“This certification confirms that the materials meet all safety standards and regulations set forth by both national and international authorities,” the SBMA stated, adding that it will continue to monitor the proposed transfer closely.

“Any operations involving hazardous materials undergo strict scrutiny and adhere to comprehensive safety protocols to ensure the protection of our environment and community,” the Subic agency added.

Asked whether Subic has the technical capacity to handle radioactive cargo, Llamas said the Subic agency is closely coordinating with the PNRI for the joint monitoring of the materials.

Llamas added that the Naval Magazine is located far from residential areas in Subic. 

COVER PHOTO: An ammunition bunker like this at the Naval Magazine in Subic Bay would likely be used to store the cargo of radioactive zinc wastes.