No oil spill in Malabuyoc

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Coast Guard district commander Dionelitt Ampil denied reports that there was an oil spill in an area off Malabuyoc town where a vessel capsized last week and said the oil spill boom they put in place was just a precaution.

"There is no oil spill. We simply put an oil spill boom within the vicinity to ensure that in case of an oil spill, this can immediately be contained," he said.

Ampil said that they installed the oil spill boom yesterday morning as the vessel is still due for salvage by its owner, Jomalia Shipping Lines, who will be hiring a salvage company to take care of the vessel.

Ampil added that the salvage operation still needs clearance from them before it can begin.

"Baka next week pwede na ma-salvage ‘yung barko," said Ampil.

To recall, LCT Marc Jason III came from Tandayag Port in Negros Oriental on its way to Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island, Cebu, when it capsized off Malabuyoc, just several meters away from the shoreline.

The vessel was carrying 1,000 tons of sand and 18 crewmembers on board and none of them were hurt during the incident. —/BRP (FREEMAN)