DOJ looking into possible ‘conspiracy’ in Bataan oil spills

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has seen “red flags” in the sinking of three vessels in Bataan which caused oil spills, noting it is not discounting a possible “conspiracy” connecting the incidents.

Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said among the red flags they noticed was that the areas where the vessels sank were near each other.

“The three vessels were three to five nautical miles away from each other. We can draw a lot of conclusions from there,” Vasquez said.

The DOJ official did not dismiss conspiracy in the incidents, saying that these may be “deliberate.”

While it is too early to draw conclusions, Vasquez said there are many questions that need answers. He did not give further details as the fact-finding investigation is still in progress.

In a separate statement, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla alleged that motor tanker Terra Nova was involved in oil smuggling as it just roamed around the area where it sank.

The DOJ has tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe into the incident.

Sen. Ramon Revilla, Jr. said on Saturday the owner of the sunken Terra Nova should be held accountable for the oil spill that has now reached the coastal towns of Cavite.

He noted the report of the Cavite provincial government that eight towns – Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate – have been badly affected by the oil spill and were forced to declare a state of calamity.

He stressed that the owner must pay compensation as his responsibility for the environmental damages of the sunken oil tanker. It should be taken from the insurance of the owner of the tanker.

The MT Terra Nova capsized on July 25 nearly four nautical miles off Lamao Point in Limay, Bataan while the MKTR Jason Bradley sank on July 27 about 600 yards from the coast of Mariveles town.

A third tanker, MV Mirola 1, ran aground in the same town, resulting in an oil leak.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic Freeport community have mobilized additional equipment to control the oil spill in Bataan.

SBMA chairman and administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said the SBMA allowed the Philippine Coast Guard to use its 160-meter spill boom last Friday to help contain the oil spill from Terra Nova.

Two towage companies were also tapped to assist in containing the oil spill using their expertise, equipment and tugboats.

SBMA senior deputy administrator for operations Ronnie Yambao identified the companies as Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. and Malayan Towage and Salvage Corp.

Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. mobilized siphoning equipment to extract at least 300,000 liters of industrial fuel oil. — EJ Macababbad, Ric Sapnu, Cecille Suerte Felipe