Erap threatens to close unidentified firm behind fecal discharge in creek

MANILA Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada ordered on Monday the speedy identification and prosecution of company whose siphoning truck was caught dumping human waste in a drainage system along Pablo Ocampo Street in Malate last month, as the local government continues to track down its identity and whereabouts.

“A person, in his sanity, will not throw feces on the street [and even in bodies of water],” he said in Filipino during a media briefing held at his office in Manila City Hall. “This is a big insult to our people, especially those who work hard to clean our city.”

Based on a video footage shown at the Bulwagang Villegas, the vehicle was seen parked at around 8:45 p.m. on February 4 while throwing human manure in a canal that directly drains into the Manila Bay.

With registration number TNV-48, the last digit seemed intently hidden since the right end of the plate was folded.

According to the local chief executive, they are coordinating with the Land Transportation Office to trace the possessor’s location.

To help gather more pieces of evidence, he appealed to those with CCTV cameras that possibly recorded the truck passing by the area to provide his office with video copies.

He also called for cooperation among his constituents to identify the offenders while pledging to double the reward to P200,000 once the driver and owner of the truck are sued and found guilty by the court.

Manila Police District (MPD) Director Vicente Danao Jr. is now working to identify the violators.

Danao encouraged the truck driver to submit himself to authorities so he can be spared from the case to be filed against him and his employer.

“Once he surrenders, we will advise him on what he should do. If he fails to do so and we catch him, I will make him eat what he threw,” the MPD chief said.

Danao confirmed that they are now investigating a certain firm engaged in siphoning and declogging septic tanks.

“This company is well-known in the business, yet we are still gathering proof. It will be punished once we find out that it owns the truck that was used,” he warned. Roderick L. Abad