Dredging vessel with Chinese, Indonesian crew spotted in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged Chinese dredging vessel seen in Lobo, Batangas since Thursday last week had caused alarm among residents.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) later on clarified that the vessel identified as MV Emerald, anchored at the mouth of Lobo, has approved clearance from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel was boarded with Indonesian and Chinese crew.

"It is intended to the dredging and desilting of Lobo River and estuaries nearby as per contract between local government of Lobo and Seagate Engineering Buildsystems, a company registered in the Philippines owned by Engineer Leo Campos," the PCG said in a statement released Tuesday.

According to the PCG, Marina central office has forwarded appropriate documentation for the issuance of the foreign vessel's special permit for utilization.

The dredging vessel satisfactorily complied boarding formalities and has been issued an anchorage clearance by the Philippine Ports Authority.

"(Coast Guard Station) Batangas is continuously monitoring the safety and environment concerns," the PCG said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had also issued at least three environmental compliance certificates to MV Emerald, which will cover several barangays in the province with a total of 6.5 kilometers of the Lobo river basin periphery. — Patricia Lourdes Viray