Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is seeking a congressional probe into an alleged illegal open dumpsite in Subic, Zambales, following revelations from a television documentary showing the site operating on ancestral land of the Aeta community.

In a statement, De Lima cited the documentary “Ibinasurang Paraiso” aired on I-Witness, which exposed how an area in Sitio Tibag, Barangay Naugsol was reportedly turned into a dumpsite, displacing indigenous residents and endangering their health and environment.

The lawmaker said the report detailed the alleged forced eviction of Aeta families, contamination of water sources, loss of livelihood, and fears over deforestation due to accumulated waste in the area.

“Nakababahala ito. Napaka-delikado at walang konsiderasyon sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga katutubo,” De Lima said.

She added that the planned investigation would seek to determine why it took time to halt the site’s operations, identify those accountable, and review existing laws to prevent similar incidents involving ancestral lands.

“Turning ancestral land into a garbage dump is a grave desecration,” she said.

De Lima emphasized the need to strengthen environmental protections and uphold the rights of indigenous communities amid concerns over illegal waste disposal practices.