By Rodolfo Dacleson II
(August 18, 2024) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday said the parties involved in the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro last year will face criminal and administrative charges amid the ongoing probe on the sunken oil tankers in Bataan.
DOJ undersecretary Raul Vasquez noted that the charges stemmed from the falsification of public documents of MT Princess Empress.
“Ang tinutumbok natin ay ‘yung criminal and administrative liabilities, which are the purposes of the earlier Mindoro oil spill investigation,” said Vasquez in a media forum.
In February 2023, MT Princess Empress sank off the coast of Pola, Oriental Mindoro. It was carrying around 800,000 liters of industrial oil. It caused an oil spill that also affected Antique, Palawan, and Batangas.
It left over P58 million worth of damage to fisheries, affecting more than 27,000 fisherfolk and prompting 15 local government units to declare a state of calamity.
“As we speak, dalawang kaso na kriminal ang pending ngayon dahil sa Mindoro oil spill,” added Vasquez, noting that arrest warrants are also expected to be issued against officials of the Philippine Coast Guard.
During their investigations, the DOJ found that two officials of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) signed the falsified documents of RDC Reield Marine Services, which operates MT Princess Empress. MARINA Region IV director Jaime Bea and Engr. Jose Buban were dismissed from service.
The DOJ, meanwhile, said that the same “template” can be used in the case of MT Terra Nova to determine the liability of its owner, Shogun Ships Company Incorporated.
On July 25, the oil tanker sank off the coast of Limay, Bataan. Carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial oil, it caused adverse effects on the livelihood of fisherfolks and marine ecosystems.
“Roughly 21 inhabitants of Bataan and 31,000 inhabitants of Cavite (were identified) as probable claimants ng compensation,” said Vasquez, noting that the owner of MT Terra Nova and its insurer, International Oil Pollution Compensation, “signified their readiness to pay.”
(PM)
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