Russian national faces charges for ‘painting’ Murcia river rocks

BACOLOD CITY — Provincial officials are preparing charges against Russian national Ivan Orlov after he painted a 40-meter stretch of the Asia River, causing harm to local biodiversity in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), said Orlov’s actions violated multiple laws, including the Clean Water Act of 2004 and the Anti-Vandalism Act.

“The sudden change in the river’s natural habitat drove away wildlife and insects,” Gerangaya told Bombo Radyo-Bacolod.

The Asia River serves as a crucial water source for the nearby Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary.

Orlov, who owns Russian Resort, reportedly altered the riverbed by painting boulders, rocks, and stones, a move that sparked outrage among environmental authorities and local residents.

According to Gerangaya, Orlov’s resort lies along the riverbanks, and while he could have renovated his property, interfering with the river was illegal.

“The river is government property, and under the Water Code of the Philippines, its natural beauty cannot be altered,” Gerangaya emphasized.

He added that authorities would investigate further to determine the full extent of Orlov’s violations and whether other illegal structures had been built along the river.

The painted rocks not only changed the river’s appearance but raised concerns over possible contamination.

Although Orlov’s caretakers insisted the paint used was water-based and non-toxic, PENRO has warned of potential environmental consequences.

“While the paint may wash away, it could still cause a fish kill or other damage, especially as the river flows into Mambukal and connects to Bago River,” Gerangaya warned.

Orlov has promised to restore the river to its original state, but he could still face fines and legal consequences.

Under the Anti-Vandalism Law, first-time violators may be fined PHP 5,000, and restoration must be supervised by local officials to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

Local authorities have also called for nets to be placed upstream and downstream of the Asia River to prevent potential contamination from reaching sensitive ecosystems during the restoration process.

Gerangaya clarified that PENRO visited the site in person after the painted rocks went viral on social media, adding that the investigation would continue.

“We cannot just base decisions on photos circulating online; that’s why we went to inspect the area ourselves,” he said.