Manila, June 15 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte to explain his waste-dumping order outside its regional office.

In a letter on Friday, Regional Executive Director Mercedes Dumagan requested the mayor's clarification after DENR personnel intercepted individuals dumping mixed waste in front of the Lanang office.

Some individuals caught dumping waste reportedly cited the mayor's June 4 Facebook post, which identified the compound as a temporary waste collection point.

Duterte has been given five days to respond and copies have also been furnished to senior DENR officials and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DENR said the was...