MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive investigation into allegations that sand used in reclamation projects across the country may have been illegally sourced from the Philippines’ own coastal areas.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the announcement on Wednesday, citing information received by the President that prompted immediate action.

“Matapos na makatanggap ng impormasyon patungkol po dito inutos po ng Pangulo na magkaroon po ng masinsinang pag-iimbestiga patungkol dito,” Castro said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

The order came after an official of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), during a Senate hearing, revealed that the sand used in certain reclamation areas reportedly came from the country’s coastal zones—raising concerns about potential environmental degradation and illegal extraction activities.

“Masinsinan po at malalim na pag-iimbestiga po ang dapat na gawin dito,” Castro stressed. “At ngayon po ay ongoing ang investigation at kapag po nagkaroon na po ng pinal na pag-iimbestiga o konklusyon patungkol po dito gagawin po ang agarang pag-uutos – ito ay ayon doon sa maaaring maging resulta ng imbestigasyon.”

When asked about the potential accountability of local government officials who may have allowed or ignored the alleged activity, Castro said the President’s directive is clear in identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

“Kung mayroon pong dapat managot, ito naman din naman po ang bilin ng Pangulo – hindi po puwedeng iwasan ang mga tao, kung may dapat panagutin dapat pong managot,” she said.