Radar shows 2 old tanks leaking liquid near West Tower

MANILA, Philippines - There may be two storage tanks leaking oil near the West Tower building in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City, according to the results of an underground radar survey conducted by an oil pipeline operator recently.

The First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) did the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey to determine the source of the fuel leak. Authorities collect at least 10 drums of fuel a day since the West Tower building’s flooded basement was pumped dry in September. The leak was first detected on July 10, when residents complained they could smell gas fumes.

Using electromagnetic pulses, the survey detected two metallic objects around 15 meters long – possibly an old storage tank or another large structure. One is buried along Gen. Del Pilar street beside the West Tower while the other lies buried in the middle of Gen. Garcia street, across the sump pit of the West Tower building, where the fuel continues to leak.

The same survey found that there was “soil saturation” near these objects, meaning that liquid is present in the soil.

The FPIC said the survey had the approval of Makati City Government. The result of the survey, the company said, was submitted to Makati government Thursday.

In July, the Makati City engineer’s office reported that the FPIC oil pipeline, which lies close to the West Tower, proved negative for leaks. The pipeline runs from Batangas to Metro Manila.