Grand Utopia Inc. broke ground in November on the Ocean 9 Casino and Hotel in the former US naval base of Subic Bay north of Manila, but environmentalists later accused them of poisoning and cutting trees along the waterfront.

"It is imperative that we protect the trees. So instead of cutting or relocating the mature trees, it is better to adjust the design to incorporate them," Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza said in a statement.

It was not known how the order would affect the project cost and timetable.

Grand Utopia, whose spokesmen could not be reached for comment, risks having the environmental clearance of the project revoked if it refuses to comply.

The department earlier scuttled another South Korean hotel project on the shores of Taal Lake, south of Manila on environmental grounds.

"The government welcomes investments. It is what the economy needs. But we have to put things in proper perspective and ensure that the environment is protected and investors must follow existing laws," Atienza said.

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